tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925698747725973212024-03-21T03:59:48.555-07:00Quick Sketcheslittle glimpses into my heart and headAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-53350074107641761922012-03-05T20:34:00.005-08:002012-03-12T14:12:38.740-07:00Life File: 03.05.2012We've had a good few weeks since I last posted anything.....here are a few highlights.<br /><br /><div> </div><div style="font-weight: bold;">Highs:</div><div>- Hearing Evalynn say "I love you"</div><div>- Chatting with Eva about little things like how Pooh gets stuck in a tree and eats bees. I love reliving her memories with her. I cherish these moments.<br />- Monterey has been experiencing picture perfect weather the past few days. Upper 60s to lower 70s....Beautiful!<br />- Eva has finished day one of Potty Training. We are going cold turkey.....big girl underwear all the way, morning, nap and night. Though we've been building up to this moment, this was the first day sans diaper completely. I'm trying to follow a training program that says you can have your child trained in three days....hhhmmmmmm....we shall see. She's had her ups and downs....getting rid of one's diaper is scary stuff! But overall, I can say we ended on a high note. I may take that last statement back when I wake up in the morning, but for now, I'm just very proud of my BIG, little girl:)<br />-having a healthy house again! Eva and I were fighting a few bugs a few weeks ago, but we are all better....yay!<br />-Getting to design the MOPS newsletter. It's proving to be a great creative outlet already and I'm not even done with the first one. I'm sure that when the ladies see it next week, they will think I went overboard, but hey, do what you love and I LOVE photoshop:)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lows:</span><br />-Hearing of my old roommates dog passing away. Dear Roxy, you will be missed greatly. You were a sweet, lovable girl and I'm so glad I had you as a housemate for almost four years.<br />-Potty Training....though overall, it's been good....there have been a couple very sad moments. One being where Eva pleaded with us to let her stop having to go potty. Poor girl. That was a rough spot.<br />-Figuring out how to deal with Evalynn throwing things in anger. We are trying so hard to deal with it wisely, but nothing seems to be making a lasting impact. I can only hope and pray that something is sinking in and will present itself soon in the form of more patience and grace on all our parts.<br /><div><br /></div></div><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" height="266" width="320"></object>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-21121036934810342612012-02-18T20:15:00.000-08:002012-02-18T20:40:52.722-08:00Life File: 02.18.2012Highs:<br />- I went to my first spin class in YEARS! Felt good.....humbling, but good.<br />- Evalynn is officially off her pacifier!!!!<br />- We got the treat of having Nefertari over for Valentines Day dinner. We had a lovely dinner of crepes and then she spoiled us with French pastries for dessert.<br />- Last night, Cole, one of Jon's oldest friends from Chama, brought us dinner......homemade Green Chili Enchiladas...yum.....I am now starting to realize why my jeans feel tighter this week.<br />-I got to see my little girl in the sweetest skirt that once belonged to her Grandmother. Note the picture below<br />-We signed up for a small group at a local church here.....feels good.<br />-Seeing Eva get excited for storytime and act out all the songs like a pro.<br />-Watching my little lady perform mini dance routines in a coffee shop. Gosh, I love the carefree nature of children!<br />-Having a long weekend with my wonderful little family all to myself.<br />-Enjoying farmers markets, playdates, and MOPS meetings<br /><br />Lows:<br />-My jeans feel tighter......though I will say, it was worth it:)<br />-Eva woke up with a low-grade fever today. Yuck.<br />-Our house has stupid wiring for electronics.<br /><br />Aaaaaahhhhhh life. How was yours? Overall, it's been a great week. Our calender is definitely starting to fill up with weekly activities. It gives me a sense of normalcy I have definitely craved over the past year......though it's scary to see how quickly life can get if you allow it as well. Let the balancing act begin! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNWF40ILXeOzulNff2T03S8vw4GM_QSCN76Jglukp1m0UFgJuQqPkgaANQx3QRtHzs_seKHsaat8qZMTqeZb0uQhFu-MKJXhrFm4R6epnxNf-dxHt9vSiFnoB9ma8ji5VvYKQ2780OzM/s1600/DSC08444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNWF40ILXeOzulNff2T03S8vw4GM_QSCN76Jglukp1m0UFgJuQqPkgaANQx3QRtHzs_seKHsaat8qZMTqeZb0uQhFu-MKJXhrFm4R6epnxNf-dxHt9vSiFnoB9ma8ji5VvYKQ2780OzM/s320/DSC08444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710701663604523874" border="0" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-62256168062387121312011-11-01T03:41:00.000-07:002011-11-01T03:54:33.895-07:00Trick or Treating Bahrain style<div style="text-align: left;">Who would have thought.....Halloween in Bahrain! The community Jon lives in put on a trick or treat event last night, so we dressed Eva up and hit a few homes up for treats :) Eva was not quite sure a the beginning, looking around at all the kids in a mixture of fear and awe. Once she figured out that we were going to houses to get treats, though she quickly warmed to the idea. She started saying, "treat, treat" at every pumpkin and lit house we passed. We didn't stay out long, but it had fun seeing her figure it all out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhG_0GHFiFK9NpTTLEcRN_JU4ZxzG2gbxKYIHF0i-Yy_mzv5k2fHU0fponBOQpndfyb8JtIW_IMwTTejWoeM3fjJtSNGDWwMgzXiqVaVNikmsjnDdd7gmJUEaRlNmeP9rNjVeL5xSmLc/s1600/Halloween+Blog+Picts.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 470px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhG_0GHFiFK9NpTTLEcRN_JU4ZxzG2gbxKYIHF0i-Yy_mzv5k2fHU0fponBOQpndfyb8JtIW_IMwTTejWoeM3fjJtSNGDWwMgzXiqVaVNikmsjnDdd7gmJUEaRlNmeP9rNjVeL5xSmLc/s320/Halloween+Blog+Picts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669977152865668498" border="0" /></a></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-40656082932594911242011-11-01T03:34:00.000-07:002011-11-01T03:57:03.278-07:00She Sings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8JwXiXBIrPpvioHdtA1IVBNH75lLSGlIVynTnTuqrcnJP-TRgZye9hnwc1jOsL_RPtZuJEbExfIrpuQ0GpDsONCLCkBvddVvsIGDMIyJOFvAU5l_HUisa_8fVSzUmZTfqAHohHsOLUA/s1600/IMGP5042.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8JwXiXBIrPpvioHdtA1IVBNH75lLSGlIVynTnTuqrcnJP-TRgZye9hnwc1jOsL_RPtZuJEbExfIrpuQ0GpDsONCLCkBvddVvsIGDMIyJOFvAU5l_HUisa_8fVSzUmZTfqAHohHsOLUA/s320/IMGP5042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669979610765101970" border="0" /></a><br />Evalynn and I have been visiting Jon in Bahrain this past month. It's been amazing and healing and rejuvenating and relaxing. we've really been low key for the most part, trying to establish what life as a family is like again. One of the things we've really been focusing on lately is music. Now.....Evalynn has always been a singer, but lately, she's taken it to new heights. She's starting to put words into the tunes and twirls around and asks to dance and uses lots of hand motions. It melts my heart EVERY time! She sings in the car, while walking, around the house.....anywhere and everywhere has become her stage. It's a beautiful thing to see and hear!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-3164880544144378022011-09-24T22:36:00.000-07:002011-09-24T22:49:09.372-07:00On the road againWell.....sort of. Today, Evalynn and I said good-bye to the western slope of Colorado and headed to Denver. We will be here for a few days before heading down to Texas......after which...we hop on a plane. To go to Bahrain for a month on October 6th. Needless to say, we will be pretty busy for the next 13 days. We had such an amazing time in Colorado. I loved having my family so close to me again, and it was so great to see Evalynn warm up to my parents and siblings......it's I time I will always cherish. I owe the blog some pictures, so when I get onto my normal computer, I'll post a few from the summer. I will also post a few pictures from my time in Greece a few weeks back.....yes, I said greece:) Ha...Greece feels about a million miles away right now and my tan has already faded so posting pictures will be a good excuse for me to re-live the wonderfulness in my head once again and re-assure me that it wasn't just a beautiful dream. <br /><br />Alright. Off to bed I go. Good night!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-49027860727285135632011-08-12T20:32:00.000-07:002011-08-13T14:35:58.277-07:00My Love for the Glenwood Canyon
<br />Growing up, I thought that the Glenwood Springs Canyon was the most beautiful place on earth. Granted, I had not traveled too far, but still, it captivated my attention every time I drove through it. Years later, with a lot more miles under my belt, I still consider it a thing of beauty and one of my favorite spots. I got to experience the river up close and personal this past Wednesday with a rafting trip, made extra special because my step-sister got to guide us down. It was a day full of laughter, cold river water, hot natural spring water, shivering and shrieks....followed by more lau<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEcFohefsFSM6eoYXb2m4ofA2YG071PK2Szpu_B1B1FCht4xPOJ4RV-RzJ1v6Qmnk1R6G-JHV1TRELyoifWoNO7pR-Aug3yEDiobSMHKoFOrZqQgqDZVxH9JaXjU-nuNCBNAjqO3Qi9Y/s1600/105_0128.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEcFohefsFSM6eoYXb2m4ofA2YG071PK2Szpu_B1B1FCht4xPOJ4RV-RzJ1v6Qmnk1R6G-JHV1TRELyoifWoNO7pR-Aug3yEDiobSMHKoFOrZqQgqDZVxH9JaXjU-nuNCBNAjqO3Qi9Y/s320/105_0128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640183747555908482" border="0" /></a>ghter. It <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnOiYs0MBZBdp6_dWuDc3PApWD8djf97puaph4T0gw0XVyOPN8isK0zPzXwsL6HrQ3kgN_QuYTqDL_aYNsHbfTqZ5c-qIssIYxIhwSdKvSBtOuIOWS5CMEyLqhGlTyT3xbc3RZpB7i3c/s1600/105_0133.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnOiYs0MBZBdp6_dWuDc3PApWD8djf97puaph4T0gw0XVyOPN8isK0zPzXwsL6HrQ3kgN_QuYTqDL_aYNsHbfTqZ5c-qIssIYxIhwSdKvSBtOuIOWS5CMEyLqhGlTyT3xbc3RZpB7i3c/s320/105_0133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640183754574986034" border="0" /></a>was a good day.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-448101084152058042011-08-05T14:04:00.000-07:002011-08-05T22:40:10.851-07:00what I'm doing right now: Photobooks!!One of my many, many goals this year was to get caught up on photo albums. What a feat it has turned out to be! The most i had done previous to this point and time was a half-hearted attempt at a wedding scrapbook. So, to actually sit and put together 4 plus years of memories with Jon is quite intimidating.<br /><br />I am happy to say that the wedding album is just about done....yay for me! I think that is my first and LAST scrapbook! As much as I love and appreciate other people's scrapbooking efforts, I have come to realize that I don't have the patience or time to keep up with it. Plus....it's expensive! Thankfully, though, I have found something much more in line with my clean, simple style.......photobooks! I'm in love with them and am so excited to catalog our family memories through them in the months and years to come. After researching which company suited my needs the best, I've decided to go with Blurb to print my first one. I can create all the pages in photoshop and then upload them onto their site. They are a LOT less expensive then Picaboo and I get to have total creative freedom because I'm creating each page from scratch. I'm working on one book right now with hopes of getting Evalynn's baby book started soon. I will let you know what I think of Blurb once I get one back.<br /><br />So that is what's going on with me today. Here's some pictures of the wedding album, sans the wording. plus a picture of my little lady just because she is cute!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmemMvYWB1xq1Y_JzDEFLx4VXtnPKEYrrOgEZJQHCQhkk2_W9OH9Odk6CkAwJwi569Ey6CaM55P7vA_chSI96TKJUWuKpDcbeHZTbj2smGvkf2EMWtaRHLLto4LXSGaXMNZV4Pog9mRFk/s1600/Scrapbook2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmemMvYWB1xq1Y_JzDEFLx4VXtnPKEYrrOgEZJQHCQhkk2_W9OH9Odk6CkAwJwi569Ey6CaM55P7vA_chSI96TKJUWuKpDcbeHZTbj2smGvkf2EMWtaRHLLto4LXSGaXMNZV4Pog9mRFk/s400/Scrapbook2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637585926588532802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwPTgqZ6HCKcv8FDGALxd1X686XlSwqEmxUmJv8Lh8uzvkNWftY5gttFFF_G0f4O9jBhCsCOTN_gUE5kIpFctujMhuDcLe-aMHW0eanItxh3OjdFEiukDqqGawtF1gNARTohdS8pAGDw/s1600/DSC07257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwPTgqZ6HCKcv8FDGALxd1X686XlSwqEmxUmJv8Lh8uzvkNWftY5gttFFF_G0f4O9jBhCsCOTN_gUE5kIpFctujMhuDcLe-aMHW0eanItxh3OjdFEiukDqqGawtF1gNARTohdS8pAGDw/s400/DSC07257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637585930525673938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hV807LGH4IkHoStWWXhuFj1-L2yG254QcjKQVSMEFgC5itf_zfLWB3121ldODEBGImQEePZJLbu87XHyi5nQuNlMB-SHpTXwETIzhbksqDdfZiFxu9hr8CbZSaBmQYklkc9oY4Q24Ss/s1600/Scrapbook1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hV807LGH4IkHoStWWXhuFj1-L2yG254QcjKQVSMEFgC5itf_zfLWB3121ldODEBGImQEePZJLbu87XHyi5nQuNlMB-SHpTXwETIzhbksqDdfZiFxu9hr8CbZSaBmQYklkc9oY4Q24Ss/s400/Scrapbook1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637585914927207250" border="0" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-88261179729857268262011-08-02T12:29:00.000-07:002011-08-02T21:47:14.002-07:00re-prioritizingI had high hopes for this blog when I started it. Yep......very high hopes. I thought this would be a perfect place to showcase my writing talent (I kid....I kid) and to escape into my own little creative zone all the while keeping friends and family up to date on all Schein happenings. What I found instead, was another thing to do on my list and another thing that takes time away from the precious little I seem to get to myself these days. What I thought was going to be a blessing turned into something of a burden.<br /><br />All that to say.....I'm going to keep at it.....at least for now. I'm not ready to say good-bye to my vision for this blog or my hopes for what it could be. But I also know that I don't want to look at it as a job........I want to look forward to posting new things......I want this to be a joy for myself and hopefully for you.<br /><br />I'm not making any promises, but will do my best to stay on top of it more than I have this year. I want to share what I'm passionate about: my God, my family, my art and creative aspirations, my heart for people................and hopefully I'm organized enough to do it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekccVGqn0YBkIKmSXQHlLT98gXDJJ1FMB7d77eel9MHANkkE_EswhuovTrNs1uGBoT2mMLQvp24CtuusPtkRdExq921HGAY2tGD7soufh9cnrbO263Xoq-bYtQOPc7m40-uL7ZqiKhfY/s1600/IMGP2866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 478px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekccVGqn0YBkIKmSXQHlLT98gXDJJ1FMB7d77eel9MHANkkE_EswhuovTrNs1uGBoT2mMLQvp24CtuusPtkRdExq921HGAY2tGD7soufh9cnrbO263Xoq-bYtQOPc7m40-uL7ZqiKhfY/s400/IMGP2866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636481902282349314" border="0" /></a>!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-41771593583296605022011-01-31T12:43:00.000-08:002011-01-31T13:21:22.432-08:00Echanted Rock and the Spotted Girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5zZMyyJfv4YSvR0Durueic5Gwb0Hb4WzzACPYvX9O0dMi5t_WVBEMrpP0oTotp3wy2Jp_cFwFFjNwXpoUHJt0DSIQ9eaWSP5AzofSMjmFJmZguU-fLeRFqK4sA_VtimoDpWGMFksxlw/s1600/DSC06059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5zZMyyJfv4YSvR0Durueic5Gwb0Hb4WzzACPYvX9O0dMi5t_WVBEMrpP0oTotp3wy2Jp_cFwFFjNwXpoUHJt0DSIQ9eaWSP5AzofSMjmFJmZguU-fLeRFqK4sA_VtimoDpWGMFksxlw/s320/DSC06059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568459139282460002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBgkkseSht9sqGuggERToNs3a4gAiKKBE18-nN6SkLLrhYrtX-qP7r9nx1EJAsdz4J0-OwPMErhXSbY38EGAfeuGwRRtmLbvFZxJv5Gz8kbbLyr5LQ6vMfCrBSWL8XACHdja7sGkzyvs/s1600/DSC06029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBgkkseSht9sqGuggERToNs3a4gAiKKBE18-nN6SkLLrhYrtX-qP7r9nx1EJAsdz4J0-OwPMErhXSbY38EGAfeuGwRRtmLbvFZxJv5Gz8kbbLyr5LQ6vMfCrBSWL8XACHdja7sGkzyvs/s320/DSC06029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568459133445550130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwyTr45sDSIXZeerk5MpDRhlC8RZNo233f-ZuyD_4rKKlVabv3F_THCrsAedXodf6eD7yMFo35SGF4nHRfwnQGnLy0uKMqgc4qIgwWAtAEGXmXsR_Bvnucc93EZ0FL64U67_6yjTo1HQ/s1600/DSC06014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwyTr45sDSIXZeerk5MpDRhlC8RZNo233f-ZuyD_4rKKlVabv3F_THCrsAedXodf6eD7yMFo35SGF4nHRfwnQGnLy0uKMqgc4qIgwWAtAEGXmXsR_Bvnucc93EZ0FL64U67_6yjTo1HQ/s320/DSC06014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568459132525319858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDgbzUOjKeKAqVqnVTxwJwtFJzyWx10Q31lDB5LFliHjb3x6ukosEjk01xrkfi6pp1KN9PaYIAXtO7pC-bjXbSLiAKuTytaVe5HpK6jE9EfavP1R-vBrSfAtub76HLiEKXX5NQXGavxA/s1600/DSC06051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDgbzUOjKeKAqVqnVTxwJwtFJzyWx10Q31lDB5LFliHjb3x6ukosEjk01xrkfi6pp1KN9PaYIAXtO7pC-bjXbSLiAKuTytaVe5HpK6jE9EfavP1R-vBrSfAtub76HLiEKXX5NQXGavxA/s320/DSC06051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568459124796924178" border="0" /></a><br />Sounds like something J.R. Rowlings would be proud of. Our time in Texas is coming to a close this week. Eva and I start off on our "girls only" road trip to Arizona this weekend, but we've managed to pack quite a bit into our time here with Jon's parents.<br /><br />The weekend following my birthday Eva and I tested our road trip skills with a drive to Houston to see Lindsey, Hallie and Brooke. We started the trip by making our way to Austin for Uncle Sandy's birthday dinner and then drove east. It was an awesome weekend of re-connecting with old friends, and despite the rain, we had a wonderful time. I love that Lindsey's daughter is now the age (4 1/2) when Lindsey and I became friends......it brought back so many memories and I LOVE that our kids get to play together now. I got a chance to see Brooke's new pad in the making and I am so excited to be a guest there someday :) Thank you ladies for being such amazing friends!<br /><br />The next weekend was a trip to the infamous Enchanted rock, the 2nd largest monolithic piece of granite in the USA.....very cool. We hiked up and around it and could not have ordered better weather for the day. Thank you God for Your beauty!<br /><br />This past weekend I got to have Jon's mom all to myself since his Dad is teaching a course in New Mexico right now. We drove up to Austin for the day to spend time with family.....a bitter sweet time really. A wonderful time together, but a sad day of good-byes too. There are some pretty serious health issues in the family right now and it's hard to see loved ones suffering. This is the part of life that sucks sometimes.<br /><br />And you are probably wondering at this point why the spotted girl comment. Eva had her first allergic reaction a few weeks ago...yikes! broke out in a million tiny red spots! I have to honed to two things.....tuna fish or peanut butter. She'd had peanut butter a few times prior with no reaction, but sometimes it takes a few times....will update when we figure it out......so not fun......poor thing!<br /><br />This week we get to celebrate both Maureen and Ken's birthday along with enjoying the wonderful task of packing our lives again. It's going to be a busy week judging from my list sitting next to me....but again I say, that is life. we will take the good and the bad with grace and thanksgiving.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-55723211884353442182011-01-14T12:28:00.000-08:002011-01-14T12:52:03.147-08:00Birthdays!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWfm7kbKMhcAAk3mYcTImkG5Jep6Py4J6_Tf5cMAqbJ599L8SCYAY01blB3DttO_o0rY_ggrTpzR020ua9A4gIFMlO8bX0i4BOwIU3V3dfgQ1ajjvr5zcn0ZoJt1YGXtGyyw1yD1Xtnk/s1600/DSC06005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWfm7kbKMhcAAk3mYcTImkG5Jep6Py4J6_Tf5cMAqbJ599L8SCYAY01blB3DttO_o0rY_ggrTpzR020ua9A4gIFMlO8bX0i4BOwIU3V3dfgQ1ajjvr5zcn0ZoJt1YGXtGyyw1yD1Xtnk/s320/DSC06005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562147004041518290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-RrPKdmzgyhR8E29Ji7yGJEfsNBP-HnQpmF77W3ETkSWRZrWSoxRu4D2sTEu2zI2cnZqIGKoCxEMv2F_YNybRIOltvdUgYsTo9w7Rvynbnh6XFUZ7_kMa0cY_BPKJm1xoR1kEf39iGU/s1600/DSC05995.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-RrPKdmzgyhR8E29Ji7yGJEfsNBP-HnQpmF77W3ETkSWRZrWSoxRu4D2sTEu2zI2cnZqIGKoCxEMv2F_YNybRIOltvdUgYsTo9w7Rvynbnh6XFUZ7_kMa0cY_BPKJm1xoR1kEf39iGU/s320/DSC05995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562147000209095218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wqodWG6CDaIimPSFLAvkZNj4BsSweioBlM8b_J9hg9TWgz3KmZ3soFa3Sj0UXNHEvK9CjH1rAgffzpfyPejGBpW1G181LcEfPSsXGQrqB4HcLY9qbBtGTTS2IsFASrDHhGGt6VxButA/s1600/DSC05988.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wqodWG6CDaIimPSFLAvkZNj4BsSweioBlM8b_J9hg9TWgz3KmZ3soFa3Sj0UXNHEvK9CjH1rAgffzpfyPejGBpW1G181LcEfPSsXGQrqB4HcLY9qbBtGTTS2IsFASrDHhGGt6VxButA/s320/DSC05988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562146999488129698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgZ8bsWOgakepT0MkJ0ZJKyCySTzNzcYviGmnkU8PW6MRVK2noRFf53Z9TtZ0RNSzOfTrx12Z0WnSoZOsEckIB1vp_zvHBU1ct39M4nHSBv8hSgIOYiaOQrGi5Z00rXkBNgCA5AZi37U/s1600/IMGP0351.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgZ8bsWOgakepT0MkJ0ZJKyCySTzNzcYviGmnkU8PW6MRVK2noRFf53Z9TtZ0RNSzOfTrx12Z0WnSoZOsEckIB1vp_zvHBU1ct39M4nHSBv8hSgIOYiaOQrGi5Z00rXkBNgCA5AZi37U/s320/IMGP0351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562145675780288674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmWQNqV5Z-3HxST6W_zYogdsxJSK4CRSKxW8xe4TH7XyCoK53pDUYQGtcAJEBM5YSUaAhHd4d_0mXlMn8U9L0-pu31ZTOFgEKAeQGPnH5JW9abPp7mf2dvzkINANcQRUYgf50iSt8c2k/s1600/IMGP0310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmWQNqV5Z-3HxST6W_zYogdsxJSK4CRSKxW8xe4TH7XyCoK53pDUYQGtcAJEBM5YSUaAhHd4d_0mXlMn8U9L0-pu31ZTOFgEKAeQGPnH5JW9abPp7mf2dvzkINANcQRUYgf50iSt8c2k/s320/IMGP0310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562145668917155570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H6j9ivHeiLrMbGJl9cMP9rFgAm8lyjT1KqZo4dIYa1qLwnvSHr_fHbYPM4qUuMgM9P-hHxl__DrMa7HN9NrTgJfbIyBdSAZwvJOtbFOw6YUqWdRMuraDiSA7W2YvJmxP9oLrPZe75m8/s1600/IMGP0279.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H6j9ivHeiLrMbGJl9cMP9rFgAm8lyjT1KqZo4dIYa1qLwnvSHr_fHbYPM4qUuMgM9P-hHxl__DrMa7HN9NrTgJfbIyBdSAZwvJOtbFOw6YUqWdRMuraDiSA7W2YvJmxP9oLrPZe75m8/s320/IMGP0279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562145662885026178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3RAjWl3cx9i_-7J-uGmsRXHpWxFxdN4o4KdlFaXC_yc4VRjH_jq2GiEe6emJ1FCwQSqFlNHlzj9GeMR5SzR-BvVA-gbXy0iI6_pttHS5jp0s2Cbf6r34O8JUQYCIXtI18JbY7Lsetbk/s1600/IMGP0269.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3RAjWl3cx9i_-7J-uGmsRXHpWxFxdN4o4KdlFaXC_yc4VRjH_jq2GiEe6emJ1FCwQSqFlNHlzj9GeMR5SzR-BvVA-gbXy0iI6_pttHS5jp0s2Cbf6r34O8JUQYCIXtI18JbY7Lsetbk/s320/IMGP0269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562145655318888290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLQYkFb1U7j_Wzx6aRRYNxksr912wdNqq5J-3brJhuBNhai2-N1x8OsYhPa-zvUaaDfMHnSUp7eW-luy3Ly5jlAyU1-3T617fEYCVmA05p9YjDncnj4h3s6oqE2FTiVktyBZg18bobb0/s1600/DSC02245.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLQYkFb1U7j_Wzx6aRRYNxksr912wdNqq5J-3brJhuBNhai2-N1x8OsYhPa-zvUaaDfMHnSUp7eW-luy3Ly5jlAyU1-3T617fEYCVmA05p9YjDncnj4h3s6oqE2FTiVktyBZg18bobb0/s320/DSC02245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562145652682497058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yay for birthdays!! Evalynn and I both got to celebrate our birthdays this month.......and they were fabulous! For Eva's, we started off the day with banana pancakes and a skype chat with her Daddy, followed by a visit to Uncle Max and Aunt Barbara's house for lunch and Penn State football, then back home to Grandma and Grandpa Schein's house for a family birthday celebration filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, TOYS, cupcakes and lots of yummy food. It was an awesome day! I can't believe my little girl is already one.......I now know why parents say that.....it goes too quick!<br /><br />For me, I got to spend the morning with my lovely little lady and my wonderful father-in-law. We headed to New Braunfels, a sweet community about 25 minutes from Canyon Lake, for tasty German pastries from one of the oldest bakeries in Texas....they did not disappoint! I think I will be making a few more trips there before I leave in February. that evening Jon's parents treated me to dinner in Gruene, another awesome community close to their house, for a wonderful dinner and an evening of dancing at Gruene Hall......a cool, historic dance hall. Not a bad way to start of my last year in my 20's!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-46472905181824626872010-12-31T12:12:00.000-08:002011-01-02T19:17:59.805-08:00A food dilemmaWith every new year, comes the hope that the next year will be better, more productive, more exciting, more........everything. One thing I am always wanting to improve is my weight and eating habits.......I'm sure most women can relate. This year I have even more incentive. My daughter. I so want her to have a healthy self image and a good sense of moderation. I want her to enjoy food! I want her to love what she eats and to eat well. I find that so many women, myself included, view food in a negative light. I fight the urge to over indulge and to then fight the urge to starve myself when I do. It's an awful cycle and one I want to stop with my little girl.<br /><br />For this reason, I've decided that from this point forward, I will refuse to diet. If Evalynn is going to learn healthy eating habits, I need to be setting the example. If I'm going to not allow her to snack on bread slathered in butter and chips and cookies, I can't either. So here's to the New Year and and all the delicious food it will hold.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-6174859201361763472010-12-25T22:00:00.000-08:002010-12-26T11:22:00.140-08:00Merry Christmas.....after a VERY long Hiatus!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTB9-pXWHJ5Qa08PkRk11TFdnFrJe58aR3ybGHGwKO3XMGgBCYQfrMvPPBXUt5ENERdrT2O78ituSne2Oz6WjEy3bOT4HaXcMgNPb_aoobq9iZX8KsrO3K89eOgKq7l6n9ipLzhZAqqU/s1600/IMGP0138.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTB9-pXWHJ5Qa08PkRk11TFdnFrJe58aR3ybGHGwKO3XMGgBCYQfrMvPPBXUt5ENERdrT2O78ituSne2Oz6WjEy3bOT4HaXcMgNPb_aoobq9iZX8KsrO3K89eOgKq7l6n9ipLzhZAqqU/s320/IMGP0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555072287469702402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHOWl_7Y2Rgp-Uqtka3NGCsMRLhzSih2gcsKztyHe_-NGeS3mWYhuHjE_EvDjcsyMefc4FTAeKGhwy2xdEkDoU4zJDXyvEwth4QUxrBL_J4dpGQVYZKeinW9hPi_u1a6HCXHiX96XgMM/s1600/DSC02173.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHOWl_7Y2Rgp-Uqtka3NGCsMRLhzSih2gcsKztyHe_-NGeS3mWYhuHjE_EvDjcsyMefc4FTAeKGhwy2xdEkDoU4zJDXyvEwth4QUxrBL_J4dpGQVYZKeinW9hPi_u1a6HCXHiX96XgMM/s320/DSC02173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555039466170507474" border="0" /></a><br />So....I'm back. I know, I know.......you must be thinking, "Yeah right, we'll see how long this lasts......I give it a week!" But I promise you, I have very good motive to get back on the blogging train....that motive being my husband. I must admit, I lacked motivation this past year to blog for some reason. I don't know if it was due to all the changes in my life or just the fact that I did not want to take the time to write. Perhaps I was just being lazy. Whatever it was, I'm committed to writing at least once a week this coming year while Jonathan sits in the sandbox of Bahrain.<br /><br />I thought that a Christmas posting would be a good time for my comeback:) Evalynn and I have been with my parents in Colorado this past month. We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and my family has done a spectacular job of distracting us from the pain of Jon's absence. We are truly blessed. My Dad, brothers and sister, Hannah, came up to Collbran yesterday afternoon to spend the night at my Mom's. The only person we were missing was my Step-mom, Kathie who stayed home in Rifle to dutifully watch two dogs. We sorely missed her, but it was so great to have everyone else together. Coming from a split family, I can't tell you how nice it is to see my two families together. What an incredible, crazy, beautiful family I have. Unto the day....... Now I like warm weather as much as anyone, but I must admit, one of the reasons I wanted to be in Colorado this year, was because I wanted Evalynn to have a white Christmas, just like I did as a little girl. To my dismay, the Western Slope has been experiencing warmer than average temperatures this year and snow is hard to come by right now. Thankfully my Mom and Andy knew of where to get some, so yesterday we took the family up the road to get Eva in her snowsuit and on a sled. She LOVED it! It was a great little outing of sled riding and Argo driving (Argos are like big snowmobiles that don't go too fast). We followed it up with chili and hanging out and a game of Settlers of Catan.<br /><br />This morning was a beautiful time of coffee drinking, making breakfast and opening presents. Evalynn was really getting the hang of tearing paper and had so much fun testing out all of her noise makers. She also chose today to start pulling herself up on her feet. thankfully we had about five cameras in constant rotation today, so we got lots of pictures showing off her new skill. It's very exciting stuff. We also got to chat with Jon very briefly via skype which was the best gift of all.........Well.....there is one gift that tops that, and that would be my awesome Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you God for the greatest gift of all, one that I could never return or equal.<br /><br />I will post pictures tomorrow, but tonight, I will simply say, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-3015354527547716532010-02-21T18:55:00.000-08:002010-02-21T19:04:35.579-08:00Our little Valentine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn0JYP39g6FlHc2Vgh2OgmgSNyctpO7fc8xMoppuMr5z8NhjN8GArh2naOKJwSicD55V5ARHk2zuCEUoNfPQ1O1Qvax2zDqhHK0ZBJwClJtFqDoP3y1YUC33F6jqHIe0JPFWvKaCJqFM/s1600-h/DSC08897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn0JYP39g6FlHc2Vgh2OgmgSNyctpO7fc8xMoppuMr5z8NhjN8GArh2naOKJwSicD55V5ARHk2zuCEUoNfPQ1O1Qvax2zDqhHK0ZBJwClJtFqDoP3y1YUC33F6jqHIe0JPFWvKaCJqFM/s320/DSC08897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440898341212766562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo9hG_2Lm0adQXjVEnkVHO_VOzPVgV5AtV8coMTaYryISwkH3ZNXzq2wCc0k9qxkbAmWJRSmwiMRwuhYfuqFcrLe08d9ALIYYdbB-LQb8vYFbkjRUXm9upyS6xtDflxuanTRAwJ4qSqI/s1600-h/DSC08901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo9hG_2Lm0adQXjVEnkVHO_VOzPVgV5AtV8coMTaYryISwkH3ZNXzq2wCc0k9qxkbAmWJRSmwiMRwuhYfuqFcrLe08d9ALIYYdbB-LQb8vYFbkjRUXm9upyS6xtDflxuanTRAwJ4qSqI/s320/DSC08901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440898333574229714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_VOlMD17LJuaCy3OU7XeuGuNSG7VaE0Xc1-Vj6OH3d2D0Jfb_h0KVn04e4w2wo4i78etE9ikvsf7k6xahEA8kUUo0wwMZ6MzK5ZJAurWQIT0lCYiEHLhUYifXCdDtY_onD_QXjqaz2k/s1600-h/DSC08896.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_VOlMD17LJuaCy3OU7XeuGuNSG7VaE0Xc1-Vj6OH3d2D0Jfb_h0KVn04e4w2wo4i78etE9ikvsf7k6xahEA8kUUo0wwMZ6MzK5ZJAurWQIT0lCYiEHLhUYifXCdDtY_onD_QXjqaz2k/s320/DSC08896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440898325315693570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9jSExtNjDFI0Q28P_Xw0vT6-BhSKrokPjLq1HgiidTZRviSdfWw-PUj3mo6xkrOrgRCKudQ85gS43v4R8F4OEKxJ199pwOjGA3RfJYuj4eRIuvb4svp_NFUtygtYf3FxxXyHf4bMQNc/s1600-h/DSC08894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9jSExtNjDFI0Q28P_Xw0vT6-BhSKrokPjLq1HgiidTZRviSdfWw-PUj3mo6xkrOrgRCKudQ85gS43v4R8F4OEKxJ199pwOjGA3RfJYuj4eRIuvb4svp_NFUtygtYf3FxxXyHf4bMQNc/s320/DSC08894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440898304812832578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb1lRpFysRLHmbLwHQMlRf1_Omvl0ATq4Rie1u16usVvuACAOkMuCbhPwW2Sw2Kz1KN5wa1Hg899iGMZdXfIpjye7Dw3jjzacqq9JjgA2SRCrmOeo8WQ51Nfw_2SCD9kUn8Xn1qGuPvc/s1600-h/DSC08903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb1lRpFysRLHmbLwHQMlRf1_Omvl0ATq4Rie1u16usVvuACAOkMuCbhPwW2Sw2Kz1KN5wa1Hg899iGMZdXfIpjye7Dw3jjzacqq9JjgA2SRCrmOeo8WQ51Nfw_2SCD9kUn8Xn1qGuPvc/s320/DSC08903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440898297864684578" border="0" /></a><br />This Valentine's Day as made especially memorable by my church's outpour of love and gifts for little Evalynn. They threw her a Canadian Baby Shower(where Americans were welcome)...ha.....it was awesome and completely overwhlmed me. I'm so thankful to have these women in my life. Thank you lifebridge!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-41732779749942456222010-02-10T09:23:00.000-08:002010-02-10T09:32:22.553-08:00Passport Pease<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpV57R-n9YRnVXA-40ixTiQ_BPMMg-HPhOP-FRD-Actr-F5pFOJSFUgkaGmzEtUO8G8Zw0D76tiv5BzCZdIFRjFzXNeu9vDTLgOjdydHdkFOuccwpxy6zADGBkRnJv0KaxbQCM1cn0BM/s1600-h/DSC08844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpV57R-n9YRnVXA-40ixTiQ_BPMMg-HPhOP-FRD-Actr-F5pFOJSFUgkaGmzEtUO8G8Zw0D76tiv5BzCZdIFRjFzXNeu9vDTLgOjdydHdkFOuccwpxy6zADGBkRnJv0KaxbQCM1cn0BM/s320/DSC08844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436668913818606082" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday we had a family outing to get our passport pictures taken. Good times, good times. Jon and I have passports that are about to expire and our little Eva needs to get one if she ever wants to leave Canada with us :) We laughed a lot trying to get her to open her eyes properly for the photographer.....it's hilarious what they need babies to do for these things. We finally got one that we hope passes the test (as seen above) and soon we will have passports in hand, ready to see the world....or at go back to Colorado for my brother's wedding in April.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-1469605123154009972010-02-02T11:28:00.000-08:002010-02-02T11:32:22.270-08:00One Month Old!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjgMyZCPqrpkER62DM0ynIfkXHkpOWhxhyphenhyphenhUmzgrLFb5j84W4bp4RKUMPZZbYxkv9iDbkfk88aP_AMCDHonAGlOqStP214TkJmKSWYMa-LCO1L_3Kp5V_ItQmlDHI6TKguoDFSP6lfy8/s1600-h/DSC08757.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjgMyZCPqrpkER62DM0ynIfkXHkpOWhxhyphenhyphenhUmzgrLFb5j84W4bp4RKUMPZZbYxkv9iDbkfk88aP_AMCDHonAGlOqStP214TkJmKSWYMa-LCO1L_3Kp5V_ItQmlDHI6TKguoDFSP6lfy8/s320/DSC08757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433731165277425010" border="0" /></a><br />Where did this month go??? I swear, it seams like we just got home from the hospital. Our little lady is one month old and we are loving her to death:)Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-32618013937348184292010-01-28T04:45:00.000-08:002010-01-28T10:32:25.245-08:00The joys hiccups of being a newborn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqCah_rHeszfIQOws6GY2KXl1f6LCvt0TlePiEBXwvwLecfhW1o4MsCXcwLXRpu8Ycll6jIpsYJXw8LuOTYLWVkTEmKwH1uq9rfxkqmhYgvd3mumYCc6pFPFuW3Cm8R9NrkFK5T9fkyI/s1600-h/DSC08481.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqCah_rHeszfIQOws6GY2KXl1f6LCvt0TlePiEBXwvwLecfhW1o4MsCXcwLXRpu8Ycll6jIpsYJXw8LuOTYLWVkTEmKwH1uq9rfxkqmhYgvd3mumYCc6pFPFuW3Cm8R9NrkFK5T9fkyI/s320/DSC08481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855455456000642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQf9lCfh7i7hNHDZ-E6khkwsKTDlkHFBtkBxvZTfbxkAdX2LL9jmPjFuawdAHzJNQ9UcXwxayY9Hz5UafoluBHYKLK-41lfL0FTdnOkPCr2VlK-eAGkRCjnsj-I1gTDXBJfNssCU6W7I/s1600-h/DSC08608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQf9lCfh7i7hNHDZ-E6khkwsKTDlkHFBtkBxvZTfbxkAdX2LL9jmPjFuawdAHzJNQ9UcXwxayY9Hz5UafoluBHYKLK-41lfL0FTdnOkPCr2VlK-eAGkRCjnsj-I1gTDXBJfNssCU6W7I/s320/DSC08608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855449564726850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn96foCVDgyaVDbofuEA9oMTpbA9TCP3lGi-BrHVPTcRtPKoAJFH4SYCPuiwxVkzfHjCzyHYDI8EKswxctlJdeqcdHyJEAB2sFySosanaCByD_eD_hsk8ggy9JhEauSjb5mWtlT4BtxYI/s1600-h/DSC08683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn96foCVDgyaVDbofuEA9oMTpbA9TCP3lGi-BrHVPTcRtPKoAJFH4SYCPuiwxVkzfHjCzyHYDI8EKswxctlJdeqcdHyJEAB2sFySosanaCByD_eD_hsk8ggy9JhEauSjb5mWtlT4BtxYI/s320/DSC08683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855444670881986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBg1JmJu4Hq3lnh87G0eTEH7sKKgRy2TYc3ODrUj8Lz0dhZ1rkprNRiJ2hYznf2RTRW-j4BmzWyIt9tcz4X8GXNn-D3Y3dNHmbo__4p49IgZ-eNBYfSZTJQYsKMSVVJTFaSNI9ED4pA/s1600-h/DSC08688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBg1JmJu4Hq3lnh87G0eTEH7sKKgRy2TYc3ODrUj8Lz0dhZ1rkprNRiJ2hYznf2RTRW-j4BmzWyIt9tcz4X8GXNn-D3Y3dNHmbo__4p49IgZ-eNBYfSZTJQYsKMSVVJTFaSNI9ED4pA/s320/DSC08688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855438871817538" border="0" /></a><br />The movie "Groundhog Day" has been running through my head the past few days. It's what life has felt like for the past few weeks since having Little Evalynn home. Eat, sleep, walk and bounce, eat, sleep, walk and bounce. Ha- you are never quite prepared for having a newborn in the house....as much as anyone might tell you to "enjoy your sleep while you can" and "life will never be the same", until you have your child in your arms, does the reality of it all truly sink in for a parent.<br /><br />I don't know how to describe the love I have for this little person, but it's a powerful thing. Powerful enough for me to wake up multiple times in the night to check on her sleeping, strong enough to bring tears to my eyes when she lays her head on my chest, and big enough to know that I would rather bring hurt to myself than see her suffering in any way.<br /><br />Evalynn has been such a source of joy these past few weeks, though we've had a difficulties as well. The poor thing wasn't getting enough from strictly nursing, so we've had to start supplementing and pumping. I'm praising God though, because as of yesterday, she's surpassed her birth weight (finally!) and is feeling more content now that her belly is getting more food. We're slowly getting used to sleeping in 2-3 hours stints, and I'm learning that every child truly is unique and it's OK if mine does not act exactly like the books tell me she should be acting.<br /><br />Onto month two and whatever that may bring us! Until then, here are a few pictures from Evalynn's past month of life. Enjoy!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-32975706634257947962010-01-20T07:33:00.000-08:002010-01-20T07:52:57.562-08:00Meet Evalynn Grace<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjEC5YEGA5X6lnLFhs1V4KNBO4wCX1J_IBXmkk3P887zqViTjZBAvcBsxn9_3M15qZZCUWH38gVfwGbaIzSri1qifMer0rdaGOsBFP9AKcaxpZ8frNTcBBMKoQqTaz5lui17Shn_EpNw/s1600-h/DSC08366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjEC5YEGA5X6lnLFhs1V4KNBO4wCX1J_IBXmkk3P887zqViTjZBAvcBsxn9_3M15qZZCUWH38gVfwGbaIzSri1qifMer0rdaGOsBFP9AKcaxpZ8frNTcBBMKoQqTaz5lui17Shn_EpNw/s320/DSC08366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428849048953521442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzRqZKSreJM3jVuIi5g_ixP5DjQ1qzuyfyDxAF7jiQK3ivVCf_UrtakaanhUXc-Dr-1q93nTTLNkSYEaM_UyByY0NqLM5dUBCVN4UHMv9jXUAzHmljw8vW2Vc0spAVNadfy1qXLlGhy0/s1600-h/DSC08295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzRqZKSreJM3jVuIi5g_ixP5DjQ1qzuyfyDxAF7jiQK3ivVCf_UrtakaanhUXc-Dr-1q93nTTLNkSYEaM_UyByY0NqLM5dUBCVN4UHMv9jXUAzHmljw8vW2Vc0spAVNadfy1qXLlGhy0/s320/DSC08295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428849043938482498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NCV1wmMAgIC-j1N2BET25q7DUgRLKVjj3cVTOzAEhQbAju_6d7iBHrHE4d7VFdwczF9bhY5omtGnO4UHqZbmrQ_Ggdwvap7xPzjpQTsdAaMKJhiObD7j_ZmN8aaW7-PjQv1wUoaId0w/s1600-h/DSC08265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NCV1wmMAgIC-j1N2BET25q7DUgRLKVjj3cVTOzAEhQbAju_6d7iBHrHE4d7VFdwczF9bhY5omtGnO4UHqZbmrQ_Ggdwvap7xPzjpQTsdAaMKJhiObD7j_ZmN8aaW7-PjQv1wUoaId0w/s320/DSC08265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428849035363559554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6UAbxohnOAYM0VewAIkhQ4UawDlpIbfGf1Jb2WsMlrTcXRAjmIbP-r2hgDRlADEWLIQyh_X_5PEAst1hoiUrL8cIUcnC2XjBtKEZrtbu-wN70UyQkADnsBfbTBnoJeQmazWZMIbMOOM/s1600-h/DSC08261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6UAbxohnOAYM0VewAIkhQ4UawDlpIbfGf1Jb2WsMlrTcXRAjmIbP-r2hgDRlADEWLIQyh_X_5PEAst1hoiUrL8cIUcnC2XjBtKEZrtbu-wN70UyQkADnsBfbTBnoJeQmazWZMIbMOOM/s320/DSC08261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428849032764488146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N4E8pbY8GaK-mMKi98JLS_4C0vIReVdEB11kTalzsB4wNquwnm1yw1sfjJkDoC-DmpEp8iRgLB44ymMSEgoJ29a_Frzkp2jMoRZRwKlm3VWUCbasRIE_1PRYFukyuwuVhwhshyphenhyphenE7PuQ/s1600-h/DSC08219.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N4E8pbY8GaK-mMKi98JLS_4C0vIReVdEB11kTalzsB4wNquwnm1yw1sfjJkDoC-DmpEp8iRgLB44ymMSEgoJ29a_Frzkp2jMoRZRwKlm3VWUCbasRIE_1PRYFukyuwuVhwhshyphenhyphenE7PuQ/s320/DSC08219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428849028560055266" border="0" /></a>Taken the morning of the 31st, before heading in for the ultrasound<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My due date was January 6th, but after an ultrasound on December 31st to check my amniotic fluid levels, my Doctor thought it best to get the labor process started so I was admitted then and there....ha....not exactly the way I saw my New Years going or labor for that matter. I was induced around 2pm and started getting regular contractions by evening. Jon and I spent New Years watching fireworks from our hospital room window and trying to get as much rest as possible. It was an unforgettable night! Labor continued nicely and the results are in the pictures above. Thankfully, after over 24 hours or stage one labor, I only had to go through 11 minutes of pushing to welcome my little girl. What an incredible process childbirth is!!!<br /><br /></div></div>Gosh, how time flies when you're taking care of a newborn. Our little Evalynn Grace arrived January 1st at 8:01pm. Coming in at 6lbs 11 ounces, she's a beauty and we are so thankful for her. We've spent the last few weeks getting to know one another, feeding, crying, snuggling, trying to sleep......it's been a life changing 20 days. She's awesome, even when she's crying uncontrollably at 3:00am, and I thank God for giving me such a amazing, humbling, beautiful gift to care for and love.<br /><br /><br />Happy New Year everyone:)Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-59802029854693502922009-11-29T18:12:00.000-08:002009-11-29T18:37:01.777-08:00Visiting the Land of Cactus<div style="text-align: center;">Jon and I just got back from a trip down south to Phoenix. We had an awesome time seeing friends and family, shopping without a 13% tax fee and spending some quality time in warm, dry weather. Yay for 80 degree temperatures!!<br />We were so blessed by all the love all three of us received while down there. It was good for my heart to see so many faces I love and makes me excited for the next time I get to hug them again. I just wish time would have gone a little slower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PBGbeFVpd8nLxPU_ml5tV3Nyr9AfNtCbncddN5qIOikeHhpiVmcIlSFozYxMIXYTHKuN6kIqtenBtOm9nLNg7PtQJ3mAppUtcEwPt8COdEuee-uiniOAAQM9G3A3zJn0ilbAaCuq7-0/s1600/DSC07906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PBGbeFVpd8nLxPU_ml5tV3Nyr9AfNtCbncddN5qIOikeHhpiVmcIlSFozYxMIXYTHKuN6kIqtenBtOm9nLNg7PtQJ3mAppUtcEwPt8COdEuee-uiniOAAQM9G3A3zJn0ilbAaCuq7-0/s320/DSC07906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409718400049159538" border="0" /></a>Christina and Storey hiking with Jon<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3JxEP_jFTyNAfQDU9FtLSYCzJQs-jiIPyw7533OVbQi7mR05DYOF9YXPgffRf4-o4ADxwOBIBTdzzOoa1qpLsnpb4NoTaGjSdcJzNPrfHvoTaVJFgGoMpFag95u5ERCI9-7wfhiLgFM/s1600/DSC07917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3JxEP_jFTyNAfQDU9FtLSYCzJQs-jiIPyw7533OVbQi7mR05DYOF9YXPgffRf4-o4ADxwOBIBTdzzOoa1qpLsnpb4NoTaGjSdcJzNPrfHvoTaVJFgGoMpFag95u5ERCI9-7wfhiLgFM/s320/DSC07917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409717891672400418" border="0" /></a>Four Generations of Ladies<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKnL8ML8ehv8Kh4Z5DWtra8ZtLWDHfFKC1RC2Ayux-h8ER59H6rRmhaLL93OKXEmveXoErrv7eqWyEj6rakvDr9VJ98oKFwwXi40iRM_AultKi8jJQPH5jMRugJ6Y7EC5bumZDD9YYvY/s1600/DSC07871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKnL8ML8ehv8Kh4Z5DWtra8ZtLWDHfFKC1RC2Ayux-h8ER59H6rRmhaLL93OKXEmveXoErrv7eqWyEj6rakvDr9VJ98oKFwwXi40iRM_AultKi8jJQPH5jMRugJ6Y7EC5bumZDD9YYvY/s320/DSC07871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409717220690342354" border="0" /></a>My mom's "non-shower" for our little lady :) <br /></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-60276283954586721692009-10-25T16:36:00.001-07:002009-10-25T16:45:14.016-07:00It's a Girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW4s5unnRNWSzhddlPsgdJT8IlkNHLpySOgHnbozV-FmkHb1GEaQhkm0WMY8yVZG3Mw56BTsPy55r10TBTTgdhFIfZAhPVkXXqq5VcuGD6z52vS2QV4o-C7CPydoRO3NTCuArsD-MnLA/s1600-h/UC+BABY_14.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW4s5unnRNWSzhddlPsgdJT8IlkNHLpySOgHnbozV-FmkHb1GEaQhkm0WMY8yVZG3Mw56BTsPy55r10TBTTgdhFIfZAhPVkXXqq5VcuGD6z52vS2QV4o-C7CPydoRO3NTCuArsD-MnLA/s320/UC+BABY_14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396687188256877634" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we headed to UC Baby this past week to find out what we're having and it looks like we have a girl awaiting us:) Yay!! We're so excited to meet her in three months!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-86216030956297997712009-10-25T16:04:00.000-07:002009-10-25T16:33:01.998-07:00Brunch and Baby Showers go well together!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M7Gddu_tYDquFCPgYYKqtlt4t4Ah9GFWsFjsigUFkbZfi0d0EvFCrHfoX0jzZWiMk3BAaWNezcLDm6yWgewx0RRlcO3BqNZ5AS5ujkbGrrb-Xef-0_ATe8mKqYK3Eq5EnB3BMDevVP8/s1600-h/DSC07823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M7Gddu_tYDquFCPgYYKqtlt4t4Ah9GFWsFjsigUFkbZfi0d0EvFCrHfoX0jzZWiMk3BAaWNezcLDm6yWgewx0RRlcO3BqNZ5AS5ujkbGrrb-Xef-0_ATe8mKqYK3Eq5EnB3BMDevVP8/s320/DSC07823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396684363368021634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbmGZ6RaEGODCh_Aa6ZgpJk0kvWha80ZWtFB2UdL933g5KeDQSrprjCNb6MI9FN8_LFnaAO5_nHVUU0qEopNheXG2FnbqZfucJrOUrduD0c-f03on0TrcAYTYq9KEZpALiW8Iy8BGhI0/s1600-h/DSC07805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbmGZ6RaEGODCh_Aa6ZgpJk0kvWha80ZWtFB2UdL933g5KeDQSrprjCNb6MI9FN8_LFnaAO5_nHVUU0qEopNheXG2FnbqZfucJrOUrduD0c-f03on0TrcAYTYq9KEZpALiW8Iy8BGhI0/s320/DSC07805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396683807338870562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicsSee4QA-x2azSBe7_5wstx61kRKPLQT2611Ewdr6mj-4mGqL2CteBnm3rNFLGxPu90dHQmhvqXdDwj0yiKCAYBHj_2U15-fnTt-JdTqjeO7ZKIIjOxxeHOMjT1NrkDwgw3bDnjmWI0/s1600-h/DSC07800.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicsSee4QA-x2azSBe7_5wstx61kRKPLQT2611Ewdr6mj-4mGqL2CteBnm3rNFLGxPu90dHQmhvqXdDwj0yiKCAYBHj_2U15-fnTt-JdTqjeO7ZKIIjOxxeHOMjT1NrkDwgw3bDnjmWI0/s320/DSC07800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396683166115836226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW05cywwP7zC6pTelNf4yUFbSihYcJAjp0KkGdqJy2fqRV599q2SrWWnommhMMZbd7CFiHsApLl8QW1m37j5DEls68swsMN9dESbWgrtarq4dbjzb6mjCQ76Z-KLNHIBvXmSBYs9S59eo/s1600-h/DSC07809.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW05cywwP7zC6pTelNf4yUFbSihYcJAjp0KkGdqJy2fqRV599q2SrWWnommhMMZbd7CFiHsApLl8QW1m37j5DEls68swsMN9dESbWgrtarq4dbjzb6mjCQ76Z-KLNHIBvXmSBYs9S59eo/s320/DSC07809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396682653473343474" border="0" /></a><br />My amazing friend Beth wanted to put a baby shower together for me before she moved, so we got some friends together we know in our military circle up here and had a little party last weekend. It was wonderful and tasty and everyone's generosity blew me away! Thank you Beth!! I'm going to miss you like you wouldn't believe!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-73729122052122290692009-09-27T16:57:00.000-07:002009-09-27T17:28:08.356-07:00As easy as apple pie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VoIyd4rSwGULJceF7rPvdFLi8yt8NO9rbl_CHxDcZ3Bo8ChT2h8B3dGFge6VeQ1W96xELFDnxIwGtqpWhM_5JupTDvxbxFcRo4GvvNevWNnO5fH64EbruOxx1zuF5ez5AMrInkTpcqc/s1600-h/DSC07726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VoIyd4rSwGULJceF7rPvdFLi8yt8NO9rbl_CHxDcZ3Bo8ChT2h8B3dGFge6VeQ1W96xELFDnxIwGtqpWhM_5JupTDvxbxFcRo4GvvNevWNnO5fH64EbruOxx1zuF5ez5AMrInkTpcqc/s320/DSC07726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386308341184411314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYKGi_fjihcZniDSGulN351vb-Lq4p4ncEJc9c-roKM2GUL_Uvci3wsi4MnYuVsgSVFcSNoFrWlMZkbDO6H2UrJAko-fVL5sAIHQyifQyJpA35pr9yvUNY5uEtt1CjvgLBCTqbV8Dpek/s1600-h/DSC07718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYKGi_fjihcZniDSGulN351vb-Lq4p4ncEJc9c-roKM2GUL_Uvci3wsi4MnYuVsgSVFcSNoFrWlMZkbDO6H2UrJAko-fVL5sAIHQyifQyJpA35pr9yvUNY5uEtt1CjvgLBCTqbV8Dpek/s320/DSC07718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386307613984431794" border="0" /></a><br />I could say that about pregnancy thus far, but it would be a bit of a stretch. Though I've have an a great six months of mom-to-be preparation, I'm now starting to feel the reality of my growing belly. I can't complain one bit though....God has been so good. He teaches me something new every day through this process of waiting and anticipation and growing.<br /><br />This fall is like no other I have ever experienced. The fact that the temperature is slowly dropping and the leaves are changing are just reminders that life as I currently know is coming to big turn. I'm both happy and sad, excited and scared. I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few months like a fine wine, slowly and fully. And yet, I find days slipping by like water and my to-do list of items to accomplish ever growing in my quest to have certain goals completed prior to our little "Number 3" arriving in January. The constant desire and struggle for balance....one I'm sure will only grow.<br /><br />Ahhh.......well, here's to today. To apple pie, afternoon walks, wonderful fall air, getting caught up in a good story for a few hours...and enjoying the sight of my ever expanding waitline.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-15986465837838811232009-09-13T15:33:00.000-07:002009-09-13T18:03:12.807-07:00Understand Newfoundland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapCCtg5O4ucAhD0E1myAblE3lmIgLZj9BZ4gnvP18zAWUPLaHi82AU6nsKGMp8p2t2xtX9xyQiRbiiuPVZz91LAgLLbuVEWVwOMwaaRFcT63Hpc9u2bkKI5xsYTvmOT0-jgcWP4CW6A/s1600-h/DSC07534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapCCtg5O4ucAhD0E1myAblE3lmIgLZj9BZ4gnvP18zAWUPLaHi82AU6nsKGMp8p2t2xtX9xyQiRbiiuPVZz91LAgLLbuVEWVwOMwaaRFcT63Hpc9u2bkKI5xsYTvmOT0-jgcWP4CW6A/s320/DSC07534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381121103308664322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jon and I (and our little baby in progress) just returned from a visit to St. John's, Newfoundland. What a cool city, rich with pride and history. We had an awesome hosts and tour guides in our friend Barry and his Dad, their hospitality and excitement to show us around blew us away. We walked and kayaked and camped and visited lots of good restaurants and coffee shops in our week on "the rock" and now just get to adjust to normal life again. I thank God for the opportunity to visit and experience His awesom creation in such a fun way. Though I'm excited to one day show our little person the beauty of His creation, I am really glad I got a week to have Jon to myself. These are moments I'm treasuring all the more now that our due date is creeping closer and closer.<br /><br /><br /></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-47930229656867108362009-08-30T10:54:00.000-07:002009-08-30T11:17:30.713-07:00Is It really almost September?I find it absolutely crazy that September is just two days away! Where did this summer go?? I'm finding myself grasping onto all the little enjoyments of summertime i feel I haven't taken full advantage of yet this year. I'm happy we have a few more months of nice fall weather to ease us into wintertime, but I'm sad to say good-bye to hot, summer weather!<br /><br />As far as pregnancy life is going, I'm feeling great! I don't feel the need to pass out at 8pm and all seems to be good and well with the little one, Praise God! Were getting more and more excited to meet this little person forming in my belly. Last week we felt the first kick and had our 20 week ultrasound appointment. Just a few more realities of what's coming in 4 more months.<br /><br />Here are a few new pictures to show you all what we've been up to this month. Enjoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtIy7Xw70HFMNbxNbGb4HsKmwA9faLr6fUKmPlXpTDVaEla6zCqsYjllFW0ZnGou-cKuMaGkKmeQkFrYpPnQ7W4qG7HkgfryviZeSD2ZDxTDxawpTTT4HgLIGDHtNsxDWKjtKHcFXTHk/s1600-h/DSC07364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtIy7Xw70HFMNbxNbGb4HsKmwA9faLr6fUKmPlXpTDVaEla6zCqsYjllFW0ZnGou-cKuMaGkKmeQkFrYpPnQ7W4qG7HkgfryviZeSD2ZDxTDxawpTTT4HgLIGDHtNsxDWKjtKHcFXTHk/s320/DSC07364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375818776121997634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKAxlzog-b8Pj5Zi4VPULQFWv4e65Sgu6sfvhf7W0pld70-c0kgFt3NpcoBSH_KxszXJ5b-NBefx3yIsTmTjWGqEfNcvqkY7aO9Us6XIF98JRU1QSy955eDbGPEm-VLSDTI3iXGgRI3k/s1600-h/DSC07230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKAxlzog-b8Pj5Zi4VPULQFWv4e65Sgu6sfvhf7W0pld70-c0kgFt3NpcoBSH_KxszXJ5b-NBefx3yIsTmTjWGqEfNcvqkY7aO9Us6XIF98JRU1QSy955eDbGPEm-VLSDTI3iXGgRI3k/s320/DSC07230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375819126583534722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbseormxsNj9qg_ZIIxDNVugnVQcATftawTB3knVm0FpUocdQnMA0SA6vNpxnZ8RwJfrlX001xaOqZVS-eI8bKuJgHvB5tlcWZ-WFc05CrYmwWZs1aJ5wy6JnnMBWTjzsu_MbsqM8Vkk/s1600-h/DSC07383.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbseormxsNj9qg_ZIIxDNVugnVQcATftawTB3knVm0FpUocdQnMA0SA6vNpxnZ8RwJfrlX001xaOqZVS-eI8bKuJgHvB5tlcWZ-WFc05CrYmwWZs1aJ5wy6JnnMBWTjzsu_MbsqM8Vkk/s320/DSC07383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375820997859452946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyPTiEL9tAFGwtqUcPSS8VDkGck8ca221lG9oNJkghx5YMsmqht3t9xd1OOXVADnUuu6sCKycMLxTz408YPZg7Amhzba7d_sf8xuZnypp-kWUCQl_c-QkpkjIi2OR-LewHGYQogvPnNA/s1600-h/DSC07062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyPTiEL9tAFGwtqUcPSS8VDkGck8ca221lG9oNJkghx5YMsmqht3t9xd1OOXVADnUuu6sCKycMLxTz408YPZg7Amhzba7d_sf8xuZnypp-kWUCQl_c-QkpkjIi2OR-LewHGYQogvPnNA/s320/DSC07062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375819580824322994" border="0" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-80221777908222162702009-08-11T15:28:00.000-07:002009-08-11T15:40:52.543-07:00Can you say "Kejimkujik"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj1Wriz1V6arteui22cZ0B49Etglvb-SNjl3yX24SHIWYYmLmV1zZdGUBA3akC9upUkL5bewRMjefBOaqoZUnKT9wJOtbbRZ_i8UxocEFA-EYBX14EY1nRsLe2SuyT-uFz1x3n2FYxEE/s1600-h/DSC07101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj1Wriz1V6arteui22cZ0B49Etglvb-SNjl3yX24SHIWYYmLmV1zZdGUBA3akC9upUkL5bewRMjefBOaqoZUnKT9wJOtbbRZ_i8UxocEFA-EYBX14EY1nRsLe2SuyT-uFz1x3n2FYxEE/s320/DSC07101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368839643182291586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Re9y7BObUnFg0r6QiNOhMfdDlK7Tgg5x2HC3u2wSJw6Yp__3yBbETP60znsp7SH2NR4EXb_HqHvXiQ1rV6eC0Yk2T82Con-rcwgEUkVle7ygqhgeHh0ogUaRgt8qhvkBbieMYJhR0Q/s1600-h/DSC07100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Re9y7BObUnFg0r6QiNOhMfdDlK7Tgg5x2HC3u2wSJw6Yp__3yBbETP60znsp7SH2NR4EXb_HqHvXiQ1rV6eC0Yk2T82Con-rcwgEUkVle7ygqhgeHh0ogUaRgt8qhvkBbieMYJhR0Q/s320/DSC07100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368839262972914306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8sojDVW78Nmg05rGvnK_CFhoW6sKT7DQHFaeEPVZhLC9_mDr0x65v57nkSY2i1QPMGmwb8A0a5O4HSDk2GN_L3j8jGZCmHNGBVvXOnnaQ-fGKURSm1Mv_-4UlCHogKpXJP-m0DPpVHw/s1600-h/DSC07125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8sojDVW78Nmg05rGvnK_CFhoW6sKT7DQHFaeEPVZhLC9_mDr0x65v57nkSY2i1QPMGmwb8A0a5O4HSDk2GN_L3j8jGZCmHNGBVvXOnnaQ-fGKURSm1Mv_-4UlCHogKpXJP-m0DPpVHw/s320/DSC07125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368838950116339362" border="0" /></a><br />Jon and I decided to take the recent long weekend as an opportunity to explore one of the coolest National Parks here in Nova Scotia. It was a quick trip.....just over 24 hours, but we had a great time....for the most part.....ha! Poor Jon got the raw end of the deal when we had to portage our canoe 6 times. However, I am married to a wonderful and very strong man, so he managed it well.<br />Aside from the whole lugging of the canoe, we had an awesome time paddling lakes and quiet steams, camping next to a lake you could hop in for a swim and sleeping in the rain under the protection of our warm tent. Though I still can't pronounce Kejimkujik, I would go back again in a heartbeat!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392569874772597321.post-39712493978555745052009-07-30T18:21:00.001-07:002009-07-30T18:35:31.520-07:0016 Weeks...and showing a bit more:)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h32Tc3YBRy8nl-sgGaB6p-KNRAU4HMSRMebmwdkOMUuLseNS50x8rn4-v3jdMzcSAPZDGLho__7XAnW15VG1rmkhRTTBeUZKrGtQJZ9D5kau7hM6QqpZcg4Dw-pHoYY6SfZ9MHAR4t4/s1600-h/DSC06916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h32Tc3YBRy8nl-sgGaB6p-KNRAU4HMSRMebmwdkOMUuLseNS50x8rn4-v3jdMzcSAPZDGLho__7XAnW15VG1rmkhRTTBeUZKrGtQJZ9D5kau7hM6QqpZcg4Dw-pHoYY6SfZ9MHAR4t4/s320/DSC06916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364431792274900018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf-j5l6Fq-Lu3-lZjSzYrVxV6D1reasQhpnBrvi77SkbpUNV3MnPu9LD6nV6jsW6lcQqGMWZtCzrY8n1QDVlp4lflajJ0z5UZlfBurx0sMH3ROcLpK9QGmFtn0yMK1P9uCv8z_0ZaC9o/s1600-h/DSC06910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf-j5l6Fq-Lu3-lZjSzYrVxV6D1reasQhpnBrvi77SkbpUNV3MnPu9LD6nV6jsW6lcQqGMWZtCzrY8n1QDVlp4lflajJ0z5UZlfBurx0sMH3ROcLpK9QGmFtn0yMK1P9uCv8z_0ZaC9o/s320/DSC06910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364431787839601250" border="0" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442083303782954816noreply@blogger.com0