tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38091361897636429732024-03-12T22:42:50.129-07:00BIG Time.Big time fun. Big time love. Big time Blessings from up above.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-76528859494779875322012-08-24T08:31:00.002-07:002012-08-24T08:31:41.706-07:00Catch up.It's been a while since I have blogged regularly. I never really intended to take such a long break because I really enjoy blogging. However, it has been a really good hiatus. Since I last blogged...<br />
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I said "see you later" to some great people at our preschool.</div>
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We celebrated with this handsome guy for his 4th birthday.</div>
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Claire and I celebrated the last day of 2nd grade with a great bunch of kids at the park.</div>
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I had lunch with these cuties.</div>
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We bought a little place at the lake...and spent A LOT of the summer there!</div>
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We said goodbye to Grandma Phillips </div>
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We all chipped in and bought a water slide for Nanny and Papa's pool. We popped the water slide for Nanny and Papa's pool after 1 week.</div>
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I finally caved in to Kidz Bop. I don't entirely hate Kidz Bop like I thought I did.</div>
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We spent days floating around on the lake.</div>
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I found this guy hanging on the fireplace. </div>
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Cohen grew. More.</div>
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He lost TWO teeth!</div>
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Our air conditioner exploded on the hottest day of the summer. We were SO lucky it didn't catch the house on fire.</div>
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I took this picture. </div>
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More lake time. </div>
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We caught fish using anything from bread to Twizzlers.</div>
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We snuggled.</div>
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We built forts.</div>
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Then somehow...this happened.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRHTliDbldEVEKy0uGnQl71AJjDHdVwsKsE6JMnJBNZxMCajrvoQOlv_ZEoPVvKt4b1BeZ4HaoPq3xPahVkBLmqVh3pPHT38on7YAdWfiMNWVh2LxoBgRPWdjQA-ubSnUt5S-b9hhGOY/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRHTliDbldEVEKy0uGnQl71AJjDHdVwsKsE6JMnJBNZxMCajrvoQOlv_ZEoPVvKt4b1BeZ4HaoPq3xPahVkBLmqVh3pPHT38on7YAdWfiMNWVh2LxoBgRPWdjQA-ubSnUt5S-b9hhGOY/s320/22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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School started. I sent my first born to 3rd grade...</div>
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and my baby...to Kindergarten!!!</div>
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So here I sit at my computer, in a quiet house. For EIGHT years I have had a little person attached to my hip almost all the time, and now it's just me and the dog. It is very hard to get used to. It is SO fun to pick up the kids from school and hear about their days. Cohen is LOVING school. I can just tell he is so happy and it makes my heart happy. Claire is more reserved about her feelings for school, but she has an amazing teacher and I can tell Claire really likes her and her classroom environment. </div>
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My life has changed so much and I am finding ways to occupy my time. There is always something to do, read, clean, fix, paint, cook...you get the picture. There is one thing however, that I am really excited about. I am moving my blog to word press and it's getting a makeover!!!! I have been tossing around the idea for at least a year. So before long, I will announce my new site and start my new blogging adventure! Stay tuned!</div>
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Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-19996455757943767512012-05-10T14:39:00.000-07:002012-05-10T14:39:23.289-07:00I like to think...Since you left us I like to think. <br />
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I like to think that butterflies are your messengers sent to take notes and report back. Or maybe they are just to remind us that you are watching.<br />
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I like to think that the soft breeze is a whisper from you telling us not to fear.<br />
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I like to think the shooting star I saw Saturday night was you reminding me that our God has it all under control.<br />
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I like to think that a perfectly timed song on the radio or Pandora was sent by you.<br />
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I like to think that when I am blessed by someone whom I would have never known had it not been for you or your story...it's a little treat from Heaven.<br />
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Today that treat came in the form of a delicious pan of cinnamon rolls brought to me by someone who has kept up with our story. Someone I only know by way of social media. I was touched and overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness. <br />
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I like to think that you have something to do with all of these things. It may sound crazy to some...desperate to others...but for us it's just a way of life. It's how we cope with a piece of our world that is missing. <br />
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I like to think about all of us someday...living together for eternity. <br />
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I also like to think that Heaven has a Target.<br />
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I miss you Stephanie. I really do.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-53087162524394096572012-04-04T07:42:00.001-07:002012-04-04T07:42:09.369-07:00That's What Faith Can Do.Today is a beautiful day. The weather in our part of the world has been nothing short of amazing. I have put aside my worrying about the mutant blood sucking mosquitoes that are probably going to be invading us this year because of the VERY mild winter, and I am just enjoying these gorgeous days. Today is a Coco day. These are the days when it's just me and my Cohen at home all day. These are the days that are very numbered. I can count on two hands how many of these days we have left before school is out for Claire. I look forward to having her home with us...but it's the end of an era so to speak. The thought of it makes my chest feel tight and a lump in my throat form at an alarming rate. I will leave all of that for a different post. <br />
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Today during a little quiet time I managed to nab, I was overwhelmed. If I had to label the feeling, I would call it contentment. I put it on facebook, but I wanted to elaborate a little as to how I got here. 8 years ago, I had a great little life. Baby on the way, hottie husband with a good steady job, cute little home and a family that was simply amazing. Looking back...it seems so simple. Life was good, but I was so far from being content. I was young and pretty sheltered, neither of which are bad things...but I just really didn't have a clue.<br />
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Fast forward to today. I have survived the loss of a <a href="http://www.stephsgonnawin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sister</a> (it is just easier to refer to her as my sister..because that's what she was to me) as well as my uncle and grandpa. From the outside it would seem that my life has become significantly more complicated. Compared to 8 years ago...more kids, more house to keep, more grief, more critics, more pain and luckily...more faith. Funny how that last one, that one simple thing, cancels out everything else. Because of my FAITH I am a better person. Am I perfect? Heck no. Last week I said A LOT of curse words one day, and given the situation...I'm really not even that sorry about it. I get irritated and lose my cool with my kids, and I can't even tell you about my road rage incident that I made Claire promise to keep to herself. We went to church Sunday for the first time in ages. I procrastinate. We are always running late, just ask the secretaries at Claire's school. I have cellulite. Cohen always has long dirty fingernails. My laundry is always out of control. And those are just the little things. However, my faith has changed the way I look at the world. Faith has made me wake up and be confident in myself and my purpose. Faith has taken away my fear. Faith has calmed my heart. Faith has made me content. THAT, my friends..."That's What Faith Can Do."<br />
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This is one song that always reminds me of Steph. This was one that she picked for her video that was played at her funeral. I miss her all the time, but I am so thankful for a God who loves me so much that he sent his only Son to die for my sins. Because of that ultimate sacrifice...I will see her again someday. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7elxC8LXfzE" width="560"></iframe>Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-9695034322489979492012-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:002012-02-26T07:04:42.746-08:00Public Service AnnouncementToday I want to address something very serious. Something that plagues our nation and is showing no signs of letting up. It is weighing very heavy on my heart these days.<br />
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Today I will talk about...wearing flip flops in the winter months.<br />
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I love flip flops. I do not love when they are called thongs, because there is another clothing item that goes by that name and TRUST me that can cause some major confusion. I live in the Midwest. A place where we are blessed by the presence of all four seasons. I LOVE it. However, the blurry line between summer and winter causes much confusion when it comes to appropriate foot wear. We have had some unseasonably warm weather this month, so I have been subjected to some pretty nasty winter feet. (Save for the gentleman who wore socks with his flip flops...thanks dude.)<br />
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Why do I feel so strongly about this? If you are throwing on a pair of flips in January or February...chances are you have not paid them proper attention. I will admit, my feet look less than desirable in the winter. Which is why I COVER THEM UP for sobbing out loud!!! I literally gagged last year in the produce section when I caught a glimpse of a lady in flip flops. I swear her toenails were clicking on the floor and she left me in a trail of crusty dead heel skin.<br />
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So here are some guidelines.<br />
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You wake up and see that the forecast calls for a high of 60 degrees so by all means grab a pair of sandals.... UNLESS your calendar reads November, December, January or February. (Please note that I was generous and gave you October and March, but that is only if they are primed and ready.) In that case, please...I beg of you put them back. Throw on a pair of Chucks, Toms, Bobs or any other shoe of the closed toe variety. (Except for Crocs...but that's a whole different blog.) <br />
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If you grab a coat, scarf, stocking cap or gloves and you are using them for keeping warm...not just looking cute, then it is NOT a flip flop day.<br />
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If you must warm up your car, no flip flops please.<br />
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If there is snow on the ground...cripes man...I feel I shouldn't even have to address that, but I've seen it with my own two eyes! That's not even safe! Aren't people worried about frost bite??<br />
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I feel I must say that my husband often breaks these guidelines and hang my head in shame. As we approach March, please exercise your right to manicure and exfoliate. Thank you...and now back to your regular scheduled programming.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-85134591558310173102012-02-26T06:58:00.001-08:002012-02-26T06:58:23.606-08:00This Parenting Gig is Tough.Before I got pregnant, I only thought about the "minor" parts of being a parent. I thought about what cute maternity clothes I would wear. Would I have a boy or girl? Will I puke as much as Steph did during pregnancy? I dreamed about the baby's nursery. I knew it would be tough waking up numerous times in the night. (Although, I had NO idea it would be every two hours for the first six months!) I understood that my life would change. <br />
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I never once thought about the "major" part of being a parent. I didn't think about what I would do if we were handed a diagnosis that will affect our child for the rest of her life. (even though I KNOW it could be so much worse) I never DREAMED they would know and understand cancer at the tender ages of 6 and 4. I never imagined I would watch them climb in the limo with my parents and the Phillips family to follow Steph's casket to her final resting place. <br />
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That was, hopefully, the hardest thing we will have to do for a while. But now, here I am, in the middle somewhere. The place where other kids don't see how their actions and words hurt others. A place where I know she will be fine...but wonder if I can take it myself.<br />
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Claire told me yesterday that a girl in her class (we will call her Gretchen) said to another girl, "Don't sit by her...I don't like her." And pointed to Claire.<br />
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Yuck.<br />
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I swallowed the giant lump in my throat and did some deep breathing techniques. I said something along the lines of, "Oh Claire, I am so sorry she said that. She obviously didn't listen very well when your teacher was talking about using only kind words. If you would like I will talk with your teacher and make her aware of this. I want YOU to know that you are amazing and it is her loss if she can't see that. By talking that way, it will probably make it hard for her to keep friends."<br />
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What I wanted to say....<br />
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"Well Gretchen is an idiot."<br />
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I want Claire to understand what I learned 2 years ago. They can't hurt you if you don't let them. You are stronger than that. You have already done the tough stuff. You are tougher than that. That behavior is ugly. You are beautiful inside and out. <br />
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And if that doesn't work, maybe we will take Cohen's advice that he offered as he listened to us talk. "Claire, you just need to tell Daddy which kid it is and he will go up to your school and whoop 'em."<br />
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I'm sure in a few days I will be able to step back and have sympathy for Gretchen. Maybe she doesn't have someone to love her and make her feel strong and confident. Maybe she has gone through tough stuff too and doesn't have people around her to build her back up. But for right now, the gloves are off and I'm fighting mad. For now....Gretchen is an idiot.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-82501296968359379962012-01-22T07:44:00.000-08:002012-01-22T07:44:28.850-08:00Friday the 13th: The one where my son may never forgive me.I'm not a really superstitious person. I've stepped on numerous cracks and my mom has never suffered a broken back because of it. I don't even really believe in luck so much, because I believe more in a plan cooked up by my God. However, yesterday was clearly Friday the 13th. I should have known when I made the turn to go to Claire's school and somehow whacked my head into my window! I have no idea how it happened or why my head was even close to the window...but it happened and we laughed...hard. I dropped Cohen off, ran to the grocery store and headed home. We have a window in the living room that won't lock and there is a draft coming through. I decided to try and pull it shut by inserting a screwdriver into the hole where the lock goes and pull it towards me. It was actually working until the screwdriver slipped. It was not good. I stabbed myself IN THE FACE! I grabbed my eye and shouted a bad word or two. I calmed down once I realized, I stabbed my cheek and NOT my eye...and there wasn't THAT much blood. Then I thought about how refreshing a cool breeze can be. Maybe that window should just stay the way it is. Of course I could lean out the other window and push it shut....no, better not.<br />
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Soon after that, Cohen's teacher called and said he had an accident and wouldn't let anyone come in the bathroom to help. I rushed up to the school. He had indeed had an accident and even covered in poo poo, he is probably the sweetest thing on the entire planet. As I was helping him I asked, "What happened buddy?" He responded, "Oh Momma, I didn't even trust a toot I just tried to hold it until I got home!!" I am so glad he is retaining all of the valuable information we give him. (Never trust a toot, you may get more than you bargained for!)<br />
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I had some of my girls over for dinner while Big Daddy went and had dinner with his cousin. I enjoyed great dinner and conversation with the girls and by 10:30 was in bed bawling my eyes out while watching the Extreme Home Makeover: Joplin Edition. Much later, Big Daddy came rolling in and asked for chapstick because, "MY LIPS HURT REAL BAD." I directed him to my cosmetics drawer and went back to sleep. The next morning I rolled over and shot out of bed. "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?!" I thought he had been in a fight until I remembered him asking for chapstick. Then I realized...Big Daddy had slathered on a huge amount of 24 hour lipstain. I laughed until I was literally sobbing. Then I took a picture and sent it to about 20 people. I would LOVE to post it on here...but I value my marriage and my life too much to take that risk!!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-40892262000190258412012-01-22T07:37:00.000-08:002012-01-22T07:37:37.379-08:00My People.There have been A LOT of things changing around here. Things that, 10 years ago, may have sent me into a full blown panic attack. However, through the trials and tribulations we have faced in the past 5 years, I have come to know the peace that comes when you TRULY put your life in the Lord's hands. I have watched my mom do that for years. When I was in the 5th grade and my brother was in the 2nd, my dad suffered a heart attack at the age of 40. He had open heart surgery. He survived the widow maker. I remember my mom being tired, but she held it together for us as she prayed for God to spare my dad. As a daughter and a 5th grader, I didn't truly understand the severity of the situation even as it was plastered all over my teacher's face when I told her my dad had a heart attack. I remember thinking, "What? It's no big deal. He will be home soon." Now, as a mother and a wife...I understand. When I look back at the way my mom handled everything when I was a child, I am so thankful. Without speaking a word, she showed me how to have faith. She showed me how to trust in a God that will never forsake me. In the last 5 years, I have been given several opportunities to show my children what that looks like. I hope I managed. I think I did. <br />
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This is NOT to say that I haven't given in to worry and anxiety a little. Trust me, I have had some restless nights. But God has continued to show Himself to me. He shows Himself everyday in the blessing of my husband and kids. I feel so complete when I think about "my people" who are there for me no matter what. I am seriously surrounded by AMAZING family and friends. My prayer is that everyone can experience this kind of fullness. However, I have discovered that finding these amazing people usually doesn't happen unless you put yourself out there. Sometimes you get burned...but trust me...it's totally worth it. I LOVE my people.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-60511582984793431062012-01-03T12:58:00.000-08:002012-01-03T13:01:08.266-08:00Food for ThoughtSince I haven't blogged regularly there have been many things that have slipped through without being mentioned. Instead of trying to play catch up, I will just go from here. One thing that did happen will affect our everyday life from here on out, so I thought I would share. Sometime in the fall, my mommy radar began to detect that something was amiss. Claire was starting to develop the same symptoms I noticed when she was 2. Just after she turned 5, she was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.claireandcocosmommy.blogspot.com/2008/08/so-far-so-good.html" target="_blank">Insulin Resistance</a>. She was on medication for a year and got really thin. I asked if we could try to take her off of it. I was told that in some cases, the medicine will reverse the problem. However, we knew this was a long shot. We tried. It didn't work. So now we are back on medication. She is basically a type 2 diabetic. She has also decided that eating meat is mean, so cooking for a 7 year old vegetarian diabetic should be super easy.<br />
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The good news is she really is a healthy eater, and always has been. I just have to put it in front of her. I am learning what she needs and discovering that it will be very good for all of us to eat this way. I have also discovered it is much like my friend Laci cooks for her family and I have really enjoyed reading her blog <a href="http://picketfencepaleo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Picket Fence Paleo</a>. This is my number one goal for 2012. Feeding my family good nutritious food...and hopefully making it taste good! This sounds a lot like a resolution, but it really can't be. I NEVER keep resolutions so I quit making them. I can't fail at this, because my daughter's health is hanging in the balance. <br />
<br />Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-47543648180906600802012-01-02T08:58:00.000-08:002012-01-02T08:58:25.986-08:00Completely self serving rant...There is a CHANCE this blog entry may come across to some as a little rant. I honestly wouldn't take the time to rant on here if I didn't feel it may help someone out a little. By someone...I mean me. We ended the year in a bit of a funk. It seemed like every time we turned around, someone was being mean and hurtful. If you are reading this, and think this blog pertains to you...it probably does. If you think it applies ONLY to you, it doesn't. There has been plenty of ugliness to go around. It left me with a very bitter taste in my mouth. <br />
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I am not saying that I am perfect. I am not saying that my family is perfect. The good Lord KNOWS that we are not perfect. But I do know that we are trying our best to be good. The way I was raised, you wake up and live your life searching for ways to make someones day brighter. <br />
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I have watched my mom live her life for her family. Make no mistake, she is NOT a martyr. She lived for us and loved every minute of it. Just as she had us out of the house and on our own, tragedy struck and she knew she was being called by God to do what HE had planned. She is now helping to raise two little boys, and let me tell you, she wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
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I grew up watching my Dad. A man who has never met a stranger and would do anything for anyone. I knew every year at Christmas, there would be two brand new bikes purchased. I also knew, no matter how shiny and awesome they were...they weren't ours. They belonged to two children who were less fortunate than us. I could write an entire post on all of the amazing things he has done for others, but I simply don't have a month to devote to such a post. Sadly, I could also write a post almost as long about people who were just flat rotten in return. <br />
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Over the past six months, I have cried numerous times out of sheer disappointment and disbelief. When you are doing things for people out of the kindness of your heart, how does it turn so ugly? So here is what I have come up with. <br />
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We are Christians. We are doing God's work. The more work we do for HIM, the more the devil wants to see us fall on our faces. The more work we do for HIM, the more we are persecuted. I'd rather spend a lifetime on earth doing HIS work and being persecuted for every bit of it than be enticed for ONE STINKING SECOND by the devil to rest on my laurels and not share my love with other people. PERIOD. However, I also know I have to protect my heart and my family. So my new philosophy in life is this.<br />
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Hurt me once....shame on you.<br />
Hurt me twice...really? Again? OK, one more chance.<br />
Hurt me three times...done. Even Jesus had his limits, so unless you want me to come into your temple and start turning over tables, we must bid farewell. BUT, you are more than welcome to come back when you are ready to play nice.<br />
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Whew. I feel better. Now I am ready to take on 2012. Well...maybe tomorrow. Today I am going to piddle in my house, play on Pinterest, drink coffee and eat Nutella stuffed crescent rolls. Maybe squeeze in a game of UNO or Sorry...maybe Cranium Jr. if things get really wild!!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-43408942612381651742011-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:002011-12-31T11:24:29.276-08:00A New Year.If I may direct your attention to the title of my blog. It has changed. A Little Bit of Life, just seemed like a misrepresentation. There is nothing little going on around here. With Big Daddy standing at 6 foot 9 and our youngest (5 years old) topping the charts at 4 foot 4...our size is anything but little. Then add in our 130 pound dog and we are huge. However, the amount of space we take up on this earth isn't the only thing I'm referring to when I say BIG time. I am also talking about the LOVE and BLESSINGS in our world.<br />
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I am incredibly blessed to be a part of a pretty large family. By birth...we really aren't that large. By choice, my family is huge. I am blessed with some pretty great in-laws that came with the deal I sealed with a kiss on June 22, 2002. We have also "adopted" so many people into our family. I'm sure you know about the girl I call my <a href="http://www.stephsgonnawin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sister</a>. Because of her, my adopted family has become GINORMOUS!! I believe that what we do is actually not that normal. To some it may seem weird. Personally, my heart is so full of love and trust that when I make a new friend (and I feel they are TRUE) they become like family. Because of the way I was raised, I am loyal if nothing else.Trust me friends when I say, this does not always feel like a positive trait to possess. There are days when I want to pack up my stuff and the people who I KNOW would never hurt me and move to Hawaii. "Thank you for joining us on Chrissy's Ark of Trust, the beverage cart will be around soon!" You might be surprised at how seriously Big Daddy and I were considering selling everything and moving. I was even looking at real estate on the beach. In an effort to disprove Big Daddy's theory that we could "totally move to the beach," I found myself...wanting to do that very thing!!! However, I didn't see anything under 1.2 million that I liked, so I think maybe we have just settled on a vacation back to our honeymoon spot to celebrate our 10 year anniversary!<br />
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I also feel BIG things happening. I feel God has been working in our lives and has big plans for us. I am excited to see what 2012 holds for us. Here's to a new year of BIGness. (and let's hope that has nothing to do with my buns.) <br />
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<br />Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-86100386539630717172011-11-19T07:33:00.001-08:002011-11-19T20:07:20.000-08:00Disney!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We took a FEW pictures on our trip to Disney...here are my favorites!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWMcPRd3-WCGrPVuq1hGW8fOBhA0pQZL1bsCbk5lR65CiHQZrjhasMWCVe-ytYyR8XVeAOWCPQtyIGtA2r4zeqLU2WA-82Nz4x3o7xmd_2WZI_dsFVEvhdjsjrANOAAfiVD3JfjzbwWQ/s320/DISNEY2011+002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cohen is ready to GO!!! </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5qv1s3nOpgyiqVY91vvhyL1M4zYZaz0Qov1fPCSW0rCGaKgCxTp_VGIfU5rkwGw-zaogk5t_IAYc1hGhswC-mqgbjzXyfps4BJ9fr8q0li1WFu_YX9SLhs6KbdpJDPaJXlOAHlLk6Fg/s1600/DISNEY2011+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5qv1s3nOpgyiqVY91vvhyL1M4zYZaz0Qov1fPCSW0rCGaKgCxTp_VGIfU5rkwGw-zaogk5t_IAYc1hGhswC-mqgbjzXyfps4BJ9fr8q0li1WFu_YX9SLhs6KbdpJDPaJXlOAHlLk6Fg/s400/DISNEY2011+206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKTCfQm82yaH6PWxagubO85Dys3xpZKdbGSkb3-jgcfACjKMx-I9oTjrFzj9YbDhmQGVt2ITZGsoSS16w9x7Dd0JPY0UP4Q47i5PAFu_lp2qMClQPPvF_8VpgQrL38O9hoM5BjUJ71pE/s320/DISNEY2011+005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cohen loved "The Palace"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKTCfQm82yaH6PWxagubO85Dys3xpZKdbGSkb3-jgcfACjKMx-I9oTjrFzj9YbDhmQGVt2ITZGsoSS16w9x7Dd0JPY0UP4Q47i5PAFu_lp2qMClQPPvF_8VpgQrL38O9hoM5BjUJ71pE/s1600/DISNEY2011+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomIwe-pyQRLIE8wg6n7imlQzYpdI4Zf6jLyxSNnGASWgiVP8SDQtdHgpwYhX3fFextVJe1tIAaH_pES8XFrOppJpTcZ9MyHiKJx9XpmZTP2k7fGS_UJ-oj6jsKRjpoz-PUT1AyIQY3gU/s1600/DISNEY2011+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomIwe-pyQRLIE8wg6n7imlQzYpdI4Zf6jLyxSNnGASWgiVP8SDQtdHgpwYhX3fFextVJe1tIAaH_pES8XFrOppJpTcZ9MyHiKJx9XpmZTP2k7fGS_UJ-oj6jsKRjpoz-PUT1AyIQY3gU/s320/DISNEY2011+016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The castle changes colors...this was my favorite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPSbzby6zWjSGvufwrG2skPrkL2j0igFcN52HFuCd0tONC-FDtJyC6ojXZvQPO7M203sHygoKhavYRWrn7__aH72ANQbwYIOy1b4XPvpSkQ6j1Oby-a-w-Rohyyj-vpdFwaUMSp0c4ts/s1600/DISNEY2011+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPSbzby6zWjSGvufwrG2skPrkL2j0igFcN52HFuCd0tONC-FDtJyC6ojXZvQPO7M203sHygoKhavYRWrn7__aH72ANQbwYIOy1b4XPvpSkQ6j1Oby-a-w-Rohyyj-vpdFwaUMSp0c4ts/s320/DISNEY2011+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was REALLY hard to catch Claire in a picture!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY33bqHAn1XALbxItxPxLgc8hiTT17zxu6ONaVlpqoA0bwEUy-LB7MUCVihZ7XbgRBlsEUs5lmkAM95YZyPAGlj2aWqSbCoGfl5nHCmdTKWZxQ43wbZS4y69Fjn0DaH-m3u2jnLZihMw/s1600/DISNEY2011+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY33bqHAn1XALbxItxPxLgc8hiTT17zxu6ONaVlpqoA0bwEUy-LB7MUCVihZ7XbgRBlsEUs5lmkAM95YZyPAGlj2aWqSbCoGfl5nHCmdTKWZxQ43wbZS4y69Fjn0DaH-m3u2jnLZihMw/s320/DISNEY2011+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrMA3O-Aw5bS7F22hytpoUS37Qzhl5ZVKna434RoPvAoq4fPzYXyVetOmnamTOBvswBFlHwg_-Z-fXDNEvi8fhpJqNwpD84FqiaA255FGbd4JU5g5EjddAk4vszKK5-N2eNR1hPoAU10/s1600/DISNEY2011+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrMA3O-Aw5bS7F22hytpoUS37Qzhl5ZVKna434RoPvAoq4fPzYXyVetOmnamTOBvswBFlHwg_-Z-fXDNEvi8fhpJqNwpD84FqiaA255FGbd4JU5g5EjddAk4vszKK5-N2eNR1hPoAU10/s320/DISNEY2011+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cohen at Epcot. He couldn't wait to walk under the big golf ball!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXNYK0GntrXouO0OK2LJFqTf8vtGNV1P-tjUKapuTgJuZdrSums3hxMGo4PKjxhBLEBiJCy2iu-jViu7Nxvwnf_NhkNF3WEPn9XX_WhGPw-4N_-7HNn6MhU79qc72CtEMlU4b7vW9HpI/s1600/DISNEY2011+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXNYK0GntrXouO0OK2LJFqTf8vtGNV1P-tjUKapuTgJuZdrSums3hxMGo4PKjxhBLEBiJCy2iu-jViu7Nxvwnf_NhkNF3WEPn9XX_WhGPw-4N_-7HNn6MhU79qc72CtEMlU4b7vW9HpI/s320/DISNEY2011+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at our hotel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQaMu9iarbvH6DOUzMVC4H7XzF_ECLDJhybSO6L5ZuSNF4lCckpwntKOgmACrB10JuF6lCocLjHpavcp7ULNmBwcOC3d3HLdmCdx3gxFJ8uN8MqeLEkovWRxy7468vhyphenhyphenlYxfHNUMjygY/s1600/DISNEY2011+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQaMu9iarbvH6DOUzMVC4H7XzF_ECLDJhybSO6L5ZuSNF4lCckpwntKOgmACrB10JuF6lCocLjHpavcp7ULNmBwcOC3d3HLdmCdx3gxFJ8uN8MqeLEkovWRxy7468vhyphenhyphenlYxfHNUMjygY/s320/DISNEY2011+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickey waffles reminded us of Miss Robbie!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-X6rdHoeeB91jCzgWcyvdlELfl_4T8T5fGdIakER5S-wDwos9_LKdabkyn1NoN3vaP5dlx-9MwM0ZLGIMXhCqVTvgzoX7_JyzcWv9K1VUy_EU7-18AU3w-ItY62y6psLihAzO8yPqVo/s1600/DISNEY2011+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-X6rdHoeeB91jCzgWcyvdlELfl_4T8T5fGdIakER5S-wDwos9_LKdabkyn1NoN3vaP5dlx-9MwM0ZLGIMXhCqVTvgzoX7_JyzcWv9K1VUy_EU7-18AU3w-ItY62y6psLihAzO8yPqVo/s320/DISNEY2011+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire waiting for the Safari...her favorite part of our trip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLsONrIkm48jNFclz27m_rXQcAafNeDwe-vMhnIkl6lQ5CfSgVE7pTniKPVhKjb96zIz4779UPguEA5otpLAs1YsGIca7yP35Zto3Amhvm2oUT82VqfkMoL8eHKPGk6Enus7a78Nmgk/s1600/DISNEY2011+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLsONrIkm48jNFclz27m_rXQcAafNeDwe-vMhnIkl6lQ5CfSgVE7pTniKPVhKjb96zIz4779UPguEA5otpLAs1YsGIca7yP35Zto3Amhvm2oUT82VqfkMoL8eHKPGk6Enus7a78Nmgk/s320/DISNEY2011+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYC9QmKBT5Dm7K1wxSjCEphKfJhmhQehF_mPiW3ydd96QEZz-ZHWCPmItaH0qSgGsAOsmMCa6js5QA-KOvEqdHse5YDWMS32fcZ8dtsTe8xDMfyvWvGZFcw5LZclQ8nNsNsh2jbElcAI/s1600/DISNEY2011+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYC9QmKBT5Dm7K1wxSjCEphKfJhmhQehF_mPiW3ydd96QEZz-ZHWCPmItaH0qSgGsAOsmMCa6js5QA-KOvEqdHse5YDWMS32fcZ8dtsTe8xDMfyvWvGZFcw5LZclQ8nNsNsh2jbElcAI/s320/DISNEY2011+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOemn46_t0SsO41vFCFSacc5ZXymhAf4Owpqq048ml6zYUsh59V3LhqJ6BGMdPTrqx9eKD3BsxqIKCs04gZuBz6vvTGRxzRecTZQ9qcDboif8Aug6_7urWKWR9OtyyMjfpguv_qCrAVk/s1600/DISNEY2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOemn46_t0SsO41vFCFSacc5ZXymhAf4Owpqq048ml6zYUsh59V3LhqJ6BGMdPTrqx9eKD3BsxqIKCs04gZuBz6vvTGRxzRecTZQ9qcDboif8Aug6_7urWKWR9OtyyMjfpguv_qCrAVk/s320/DISNEY2011+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids decided it was a message from Heaven.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdv_acdfgaEhOoo2VdJ23bkGS06LmCQ-5rN5eBKYH1Aw1hULquAHYB0uMJrrChngPHybgG0sn1Bd4XCdcE-tYkHfk92Omy-k1TRDUtGhkguWOujO-gsAkdGm4REIEekqRHO7PmA0DJf8/s1600/DISNEY2011+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdv_acdfgaEhOoo2VdJ23bkGS06LmCQ-5rN5eBKYH1Aw1hULquAHYB0uMJrrChngPHybgG0sn1Bd4XCdcE-tYkHfk92Omy-k1TRDUtGhkguWOujO-gsAkdGm4REIEekqRHO7PmA0DJf8/s320/DISNEY2011+085.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Dq6xDRZ7R57EAJxKMlE7C11ML6PbwV2Qxv5-w8oFesfvTGlRk7iFFIdsRLqGxLZ945TKeIvKQ1TyYca9qhq8V5aJIuaMpoFlj0wdVc1kDb6UuRwjbrJqNQCybP-Xe49sJjUuuhs6e34/s1600/DISNEY2011+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Dq6xDRZ7R57EAJxKMlE7C11ML6PbwV2Qxv5-w8oFesfvTGlRk7iFFIdsRLqGxLZ945TKeIvKQ1TyYca9qhq8V5aJIuaMpoFlj0wdVc1kDb6UuRwjbrJqNQCybP-Xe49sJjUuuhs6e34/s320/DISNEY2011+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC7ACw9Mut5OTsu4SnQzndNjWK6KJi4WW_sgURXa-iW7jCPO6AisBS8VYtC1_BipXg2yLqhFhyphenhyphenFsnl3XNXK8E12uFkT5FT5LL4EmKpSWeViogxCX-ajm03Ve2xAor9mcO7qLBLMAPHN8/s1600/DISNEY2011+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC7ACw9Mut5OTsu4SnQzndNjWK6KJi4WW_sgURXa-iW7jCPO6AisBS8VYtC1_BipXg2yLqhFhyphenhyphenFsnl3XNXK8E12uFkT5FT5LL4EmKpSWeViogxCX-ajm03Ve2xAor9mcO7qLBLMAPHN8/s320/DISNEY2011+100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He LOVED the parade at Animal Kingdom!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPWgI72O3Ma00gGdoQtqSVLR2k3JcWM9tmL0gQXlYvHN6OXoJxEZkECL2HZKifoSA4xKATVo741HlpEzhgRv1GKpwXUUUcFODNTcW38452oPbZGCKVqocRM0q3SbbzUn5jDAxFk17I0g/s1600/DISNEY2011+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPWgI72O3Ma00gGdoQtqSVLR2k3JcWM9tmL0gQXlYvHN6OXoJxEZkECL2HZKifoSA4xKATVo741HlpEzhgRv1GKpwXUUUcFODNTcW38452oPbZGCKVqocRM0q3SbbzUn5jDAxFk17I0g/s320/DISNEY2011+108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did she....I promise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree of Life</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I almost lost a really nice dinner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Fantasmic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Fantasmic...amazing!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_SDNLjKMHKmXkeI_0VptKnIAzlZRfUahHL0fzkYij2notFW654yVfbEZBb-BwOeltXqzcan9z9el86XC5vqwTRmIGmLqm9zqhUW_H0SSERMSA-b7uxSaKgp3xXfVfHuVER6YltkKpQs/s1600/DISNEY2011+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_SDNLjKMHKmXkeI_0VptKnIAzlZRfUahHL0fzkYij2notFW654yVfbEZBb-BwOeltXqzcan9z9el86XC5vqwTRmIGmLqm9zqhUW_H0SSERMSA-b7uxSaKgp3xXfVfHuVER6YltkKpQs/s320/DISNEY2011+171.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE Highlight of Cohen's trip! "Captain Jack Spawow!"</td></tr>
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At the risk of sounding super cheesy...this was truly a magical vacation. The feeling I got when walking up to the Magic Kingdom while it was all decorated for Christmas was seriously magic. As silly as it may sound, I was a little emotional. The fact that I was getting to take my kids on a vacation like this, was just such a blessing. I will never take it for granted. I loved seeing the looks on their faces. They were both so taken by the castle....and so was I. It was just beautiful. I can't possibly share all of our stories in a blog, but this melted my heart...While on Peter Pan's Flight, Cohen hugged me tight and said, "Oh momma, I'm thinking only all my happy thoughts!"</div>
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<br />Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-64252314726897252882011-09-10T21:51:00.000-07:002011-09-10T21:52:12.437-07:0010 Years Ago...10 years ago, I don't remember exactly what I was doing. It is strange but I remember that my house was clean. I lived with my brother and a clean house was not something that happened on a regular basis. Chances are I went to sleep while watching either The Wedding Planner or My Best Friend's Wedding because I was newly engaged and had wedding on the brain. I went to sleep that night with absolutely no idea that I would wake up in the morning to a world that would never be the same.<br />
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Shortly after 8 a.m. on September 11, 2001 my brother ran into my room and woke me up yelling, "WE ARE BEING ATTACKED!!!" I, naturally, asked where the dog was and ran to the living room. We sat on my red flowered couch on the black cordless phone with my mom and watched in terror as the first tower collapsed. As news trickled in about the flight in Pennsylvania and the plane that hit the pentagon....I was stunned. I was not exactly shocked that something like this was happening, but the scope was incomprehensible. If they were going to hit the pentagon....what is stopping them from taking everyone out? Were we the safest because we are in the middle of the country? Where do I want to be if something like that happens here? The only answer I was sure of was the answer to the last question. I knew I didn't want to be at school. I skipped my IDS 110 class and took lunch to my dad's office. We sat and watched the coverage as we tried to eat our sandwiches. (Bacon Turkey Bravo from Panera) Luckily I had filled up with gas on the way because by the time I left his office, people had panicked and gas stations resembled Black Friday at Best Buy. Not good.<br />
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I reported for duty at 4:00 for my shift at a drug and alcohol recovery center and it was like visiting a parallel universe. With the exception of a few women who were "upset" (read, "I'm going to freak out so I can milk this situation for an extra smoke break) most of them were not concerned. I heard things like, "Yeah, it sucks but it's not my problem." Someone actually said, "It doesn't affect me so I don't care." I could not believe they could be so flip about one of the biggest and most deadly events in history. The world around me began to make less and less sense. It stayed that way for months. <br />
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I called friends that I hadn't talked to in a while. I prayed with my parents at a local church that we had never attended. I watched the footage. I turned the footage off. I tried to be okay with planning a wedding. I tried to make sense of it all.<br />
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Ten years later...I still watch the footage and it is just as terrifying as it was the first time. I pray. I read the stories about the children who never met their fathers because they were born AFTER the attacks. I pray. I read the stories about the widows and widowers who have found true love again. I pray. I sit and wait for my husband's plane to land in Springfield tonight...and I pray. I pray to God and thank Him because I know, there is a place waiting for us where this kind of loss and pain will seize to exist. <br />
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<br />Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-61279917619416696102011-07-12T07:50:00.000-07:002011-07-13T09:35:24.828-07:00Batter Up!Last night, as I was headed up the stairs to go to bed, something caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks and waited. I saw it again and BOLTED upstairs. "BIG DADDY...THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE HOUSE." He was not terribly concerned at first because I have a tendency to blow things out of proportion from time to time. "BABE. I'm serious...there is something flying around." That got his attention, because we have A LOT of bats out here in The Hills. If you want to freak Big Daddy's freak...talk about bats. He tried to keep it cool and told me, "Well...go look and see." I peeked out of our room and flipped on the lights just in time to see our little nocturnal friend buzz by again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaudMl15hGzXNrl-CrkJI2Th0Kb6sgcutG1fR-tChN4OT-EilLWcbKtLRUj5WBBWXYsmvLEjOlc5NO2IFPo_Z0aoLXD-SfOvPkZXkALTFJSDcU9YV6ovKCOQd1nX4HRBLpopimLIou9Wg/s1600/common-vampire-bat_505_600x450.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaudMl15hGzXNrl-CrkJI2Th0Kb6sgcutG1fR-tChN4OT-EilLWcbKtLRUj5WBBWXYsmvLEjOlc5NO2IFPo_Z0aoLXD-SfOvPkZXkALTFJSDcU9YV6ovKCOQd1nX4HRBLpopimLIou9Wg/s320/common-vampire-bat_505_600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628875086636734274" border="0" /></a><br />I ran back in our room and did the heebie geebie dance and informed him that it was indeed a bat. His eyes got huge and he froze. "Babe, you know I don't do bats." That's when I knew...I was on my own.<br /><br />I did what any girl would do. I called my mommy and daddy of course! They tried, through their whooping laughter to guide me through this little adventure. I decided I would shoot it. I got my pellet gun and put the rents on speaker phone. I found our little buddy hanging out on our rock fire place. Here is the conversation that took place.<br /><br />Me: "I'm just going to shoot it."<br />Dad: "Just reach up there and grab it and throw the D!#$ thing out the door."<br />Me: "Um....no. I'm gonna shoot it."<br />Mom: "YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!"<br />Me: "No I won't...but maybe I will put on some glasses."<br />(Found Big Daddy's shades. Put them on)<br />Dad: "make sure you are straight on."<br />Me: "Wouldn't it be better at a 45 degree angle?"<br />Dad: "No."<br />Me: "Ok."<br />Dad: "If you're gonna shoot it, steady your gun on a chair."<br />Me: "Got it."<br />Me: "You should see me. Sunglasses, greasy hair, pellet gun...hot."<br />Dad: "Where is Brian?"<br />Me: "UPSTAIRS!!!"<br />Dad: (laughing hysterically)<br />Mom: "Don't shoot! I'm googling!"<br />Mom: "It says, 'you should not have bats flying in your house!'"<br />Me: "NO $&#@ MOM!"<br />Me: "I can't see with these glasses on."<br />Dad: "Take them off."<br />Me: "I'm shooting." (Fires a shot) PING!<br />Mom and Dad: (laughing hysterically) "Did you get it?"<br />Me: "I don't think so."<br />Mom: "DON'T SHOOT IT!!! IT IS ILLEGAL!!!"<br />Me: "whoops."<br />Mom and Dad: (more laughing)<br /><br />Big Daddy comes down at some point...wearing his superhero tighties. Awesome.<br />Big Daddy (from the staircase): "JUST KEEP SHOOTING!"<br />Me: PING! PING! PING!<br />Mom: "I WAS BEING SERIOUS!! IT'S ILLEGAL!!!"<br />Me: "Okay, fine."<br /><br />Either I'm a bad shot (which I highly doubt), bats have really thick skin or the most likely of all...I couldn't bring myself to get close enough to do any real damage. At any rate, plan A was a major fail. Which is good because I don't look good in orange.<br /><br />Dad: "Open all the windows and doors, go get Brian's ball retriever from his golf bag and smack it so it will fly out."<br />Big Daddy: "I will get the ball retriever."<br />**MY HEEEEERRRRROOOOO!**<br /><br />Mom: "It says you should cover your skin in case the bat has rabies. Has it been in contact with your dog?"<br />Me: "No, Queen Google...not as far as I know."<br /><br />Windows are open, and the house is now a cool 90 degrees. I grab a fleece blanket to cover myself and grab the ball retriever. I have started to sweat profusely...super sexy. I approach the bat....<br /><br />Me: "I'm going to set the phone down...and I'm probably gonna scream."<br />Mom and Dad: "Okay."<br /><br />I poke at the bat...it flies directly at my face. I collapse to the floor, covered in my blanket and scream my ever lovin' head off. I peek out of my blanket only to see that sucker flying straight for my face! I retreat back to my blanket fort and scream my ever lovin' head off again.<br /><br />Mom: "ARE YOU OKAY?"<br />Me: "I'm FINE!"<br />Dad: "Is it out??"<br />Me: "I don't know! Brian! Is it out? Brian???? Babe?"<br /><br />*Big Daddy had retreated to our bedroom...door shut.*<br /><br />I peeked out and didn't see our furry friend. I checked the house and found no trace. I closed the windows back up and puffed my chest out. HMPF! I did it...and I didn't even break the law...that much.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-30807525554461277802011-05-16T15:18:00.000-07:002011-05-16T15:29:40.197-07:00My SmartyToday I was explaining to Cohen the purpose of Relay for Life. Here is our conversation.<br /><br />Cohen- "What is Relay for Life?"<br />Mommy-"It's to raise money for cancer research."<br /><br />Cohen-"What's cancer research?"<br />Mommy-"It means that someone really smart is going to find a cure for cancer, but they need money to help them."<br /><br />Cohen-"Oh, I see. I'm smart!"<br />Mommy-"You most certainly are, are you going to find a cure for cancer?"<br /><br />Cohen-"YUP....what's a cure?"Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-82957790427810586052011-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:002011-05-04T20:30:37.798-07:00My Favorite DJ is DJ Tanner.Friday night I had dinner with a group of wonderful ladies. Beautiful ladies who love the Lord. After our bellies were full, we headed north to fill our hearts with the word of God. You see Friday was the Women's Rally at James River Assembly. Pastor John's wife Debbie was able to secure a special speaker for this rally, and when I heard who it was...I could not pass it up!! Trust me, after a week preparing for our giant garage sale and all day with a garage FULL of people...a nap sounded really good. But missing CANDACE CAMERON BURE speak at our church, in person, was NOT an option!!<br /><br />As we walked in, clips from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092359/">Full House</a> were playing on the screens in the sanctuary. I was immediately taken back to a time that my children cannot fathom. A time when we waited for Friday night at 7:00 so we could watch Full House. If you weren't home, you didn't see it. We found an entire row just for us and settled in. Little did I know, my world was about to be rocked.<br /><br />She came out and was just adorable! She was rocking white pants (which made me regret not wearing my cute outfit that included a white dress for fear that I would violate the "white before Memorial Day" rule!) and was beautiful. She shared her testimony which you can read or listen to <a href="http://www.candacecameronbure.net/testimony.php">HERE</a>. Her story really hit close to home. I could relate so well because she was a "good kid" too. Just like myself, a good kid for the most part. I did the same thing she did in college. "I'm a good person. I'm kind to people. I'm good to my parents. So I go to a few parties, use a few curse words and don't go to church regularly...it could be a lot worse. PLUS, I pray to God and He forgives me! So I'm good." Then she gave us an analogy that made SO much sense!<br /><br />Picture a fluffy white sheep grazing in a pasture of green grass. He looks SO white and clean! Now picture a beautiful blanket of pure white snow all around that sheep. Against that backdrop, he now looks filthy dirty!!<br /><br />I am SO very guilty of putting my sins up against the world. Compared to a lot of really bad sins, my sins don't look so bad. However, when I put my sins against the backdrop of a perfect son....not so great anymore!! I don't want this to sound like I think I am better than the next person just because I don't cheat on my husband or have a drug addiction. A sin is a sin and mine aren't any better than the next. The truth is, I have things that I know I need to work on. Things that deep down, I know I need to change but it's just easier to ask for forgiveness than to actually change them. I loved when she talked about the difference in diving into your sin and falling into it. God understands that we will mess up and He forgives us for those mess ups, but it's different when you dive right into sin KNOWING you are not doing the right thing.<br /><br />I am looking forward to making some changes. One of my goals is to make quiet/prayer time my #1 goal. I have some soul searching to do and have been putting it off because I don't make time. To my family and friends, don't worry...I'm not in trouble or making some earth shattering, life changing decisions. Just "little" things that are going to make a huge difference in my family. I am so excited!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-72862324797646085652011-04-02T19:46:00.000-07:002011-04-02T20:07:28.416-07:00Father Daughter DanceLast night was Claire's second Father Daughter Dance at school. I just LOVE this event. All the girls get dressed up and everyone makes a huge fuss over them. I love it. Here are just a few pics from the night. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqTB9qZ77NVWSuVoGIKCqdc9YqRHFQpMvylk4x7Ga7NCscHb8CA8fn-48oW1xiqOq1-U0f4qDrwPFIgu2iPsryKMpOScMd9myfoK71JK6cgXDNiJyyJb_XMdUV3zLq-FHQ0l4W5HLokg/s1600/111_0016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqTB9qZ77NVWSuVoGIKCqdc9YqRHFQpMvylk4x7Ga7NCscHb8CA8fn-48oW1xiqOq1-U0f4qDrwPFIgu2iPsryKMpOScMd9myfoK71JK6cgXDNiJyyJb_XMdUV3zLq-FHQ0l4W5HLokg/s320/111_0016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591185579615306642" border="0" /></a><br />I cropped this one because my blog is public, and I wasn't sure where everyone stood on having their child's picture on here!! Claire looked so precious, but was still comfortable which is key at our house. This was actually the picture with all eight of the dads standing behind all of their girls! I have to say, it was such a special moment. I just looked at all those proud dads and felt so blessed. I am so thankful for Big Daddy and what he means to our family.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mMkklJK7ESBGABTfLVk1jLVUb3rox1Gcd6bEwYKXWu4d0K4P4mE2BrlWxC_ELZA92jG35Rr3ieOkGK8g587dCEKuHtzyGbNEF3gkVDMHpeLAqv0D_aZeUD8gsSZLIqKFtTLaDBlipyA/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mMkklJK7ESBGABTfLVk1jLVUb3rox1Gcd6bEwYKXWu4d0K4P4mE2BrlWxC_ELZA92jG35Rr3ieOkGK8g587dCEKuHtzyGbNEF3gkVDMHpeLAqv0D_aZeUD8gsSZLIqKFtTLaDBlipyA/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591183593825656386" border="0" /></a><br />Right before I snapped this picture, Big Daddy had a sweet little moment with Claire. He is SO sweet with her and there is NO denying she is a daddy's girl! <br /><br />Like I said, there aren't many photos without the other girls in them! Claire would NOT let me take pictures of her for some reason! I had to get most of mine when the whole group was posing! It was a great night and all the girls had a wonderful time!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-11615339403484627382011-04-02T19:14:00.000-07:002011-05-04T20:34:08.642-07:00The Sisterhood of the Traveling Turd PurseA few weeks ago, I was in a local designer discount facility when I came across this treasure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaME5YD8-1TLrznPONuNjLXnLzx4fIQIV8DSs7WCmSxxzmHQn8Jd0UpP47jyA2wRI4n4XBhSuPcfX8RI4ofCbEdfkhQWywKMM3v9K-38S-gT2xUxRiAzfAS-Kc3kJ_i6EICtJCl2GFJs0/s1600/111_0024.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaME5YD8-1TLrznPONuNjLXnLzx4fIQIV8DSs7WCmSxxzmHQn8Jd0UpP47jyA2wRI4n4XBhSuPcfX8RI4ofCbEdfkhQWywKMM3v9K-38S-gT2xUxRiAzfAS-Kc3kJ_i6EICtJCl2GFJs0/s320/111_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591175582340619122" border="0" /></a><br />If you follow me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span>, or we are friends <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IRL</span>...you know that I have affectionately named this beauty, The Turd Purse. I picked the name based, not only on the creamy brown color, but also because of the lovely "rosettes" that adorn the front.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE6OCsLWDyetsvXuBbJMgl143yJLPfUhYrJpSj-ZkaJtkteiufidyMvPJ0n3RQPWQmZydyPkWe2fNb5yROTxm8EOR2URfNjhvmhCXO28byw7N-4d1ihN07mS4WqcC9xBep6xSKELH_XQ/s1600/111_0026.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE6OCsLWDyetsvXuBbJMgl143yJLPfUhYrJpSj-ZkaJtkteiufidyMvPJ0n3RQPWQmZydyPkWe2fNb5yROTxm8EOR2URfNjhvmhCXO28byw7N-4d1ihN07mS4WqcC9xBep6xSKELH_XQ/s320/111_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591179056019856834" border="0" /></a><br />I'm sure the designer had every intention of making these look like flowers. But let's just call a spade a spade...it looks like a purse decorated with turds. I can honestly say this MIGHT be my favorite post ever because I love the word turd. Turd is the word.<br /><br />I decided to purchase The Turd Purse today for a few reasons.<br /><br />A. She looked sad still hanging in the same spot she was hanging a few weeks ago.<br /><br />2. I enjoy making people laugh, and THIS my friends is comedy.<br /><br />D. I was on the phone with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BFF</span> Monica, BOTH times I encountered The Turd Purse and if that ain't destiny I don't know what is. (And yes, I said ain't because she's from Arkansas and I'm from the Ozarks...so it works.)<br /><br />7. We had a great idea about what we could do with The Turd Purse. We immediately named that plan, <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sisterhood of the Traveling Turd Purse</span></span>.<br /><br />It is going to be amazing. If you want in on this action, e-mail me your name and address with TURD PURSE in the subject line at cgeorge1980@gmail.com. Like I said on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>, this is your chance to be a part of something amazing, with absolutely no benefit to society. I will post the rules as soon as I get the specifics in order. Stay tuned!!!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-85025559536590877172011-03-28T07:34:00.000-07:002011-03-28T08:48:38.459-07:00Best St. Patrick's Day...EVER!I remember the days when I was....oh, say...21 years old when the best St. Patrick's day ever would NOT involve a day at the hospital! But March 17, 2011 will go down in our family history as the best St. Patrick's Day ever.<br /><br />We received a precious gift from God at 10:14 when sweet baby Elise Susanne came into this world weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces and measuring 20 & 1/2 inches long.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n0f5kw1LWBb2kmFFUhwk9WZ0THoQlvVGlTrRto2dLtw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DD_AIhMb1yhRBRJXptaUloz-bayxG_HYkWPQJy7CAwBGGQP5H_aRWHRszLFiJugoQ28mDHqkN9KyH_vGSO6il8Q4G-kD7kaU2ozh7fQAG4lsCuo58mjZRXZaddKs0R7OLp3uEtTsh4o/s400/IMG959040.jpg" width="299" height="400" /></a><br />Here she is just minutes after her arrival...and yes, that is my sister-in-love who actually birthed her!! And now I will share the story that this little girl will hear every year on the day of her birth.<br /><br />Her birthday had been on the calendar for about a week. Thanks to modern medicine we knew she would be a St. Patrick's day baby. We also knew that the Pitocin (used to start labor) would be the only modern day medicine used because my girl Ashley, is Super Momma. I woke up with a spring in my step and a song in my heart because I KNEW it was going to be a beautiful day! It was in fact a GORGEOUS day. The sun was shining and the warm wind was blowing...a great day for a baby. We dressed in our green and headed to school. Claire was on Spring Break but our amazing Pre-school family insisted that she stay and help in class with the littles. She was thrilled and LOVED every second she was there. As we left the school we told everyone we saw, "We have to go!!! We are getting a baby today!!!" My mom went on to the hospital and I ran up to grab a special lunch to take back to Claire and Cohen. (Special lunch means, mommy didn't have time to make lunches before we left the house.) I dropped them off and kissed all the kids one more time. I thought about stopping to grab an iced tea on the way to the hospital, but decided to wait. THANK GOODNESS!!!<br /><br />I arrived at the hospital and walked in with Nee Nee and Pa (Ashley's parents) and we strolled into labor and delivery. The receptionist pointed us in the right direction and told us to knock before we went in. Assuming my mom and dad were in the birthing suite just chatting up the soon to be parents of two, we knocked and waited. To my surprise, a nurse poked her head out and said, "Sorry, she is actually getting ready to push!" WWHHHAAAATTT????? Just then my parents returned from grabbing a snack and we all did a little happy dance in the hallway! They hooked Ashley up at 7:00 and just 3 hours later she was pushing....then 14 minutes later, she delivered a perfect baby girl.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rLlN_QGGq3uyRGwUyh7q_GZ0THoQlvVGlTrRto2dLtw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ1LRjTh9tUDkEQccbqom1yrI1mC3ROQFhG-fB5USSyWybI48Jw1nLi1nziS-ecyPMlFMcXduuMw9CskMdOkugiPz7wLzQyAa62ZecArJoPbxFo2ygKwfyviyjTabJAPsqSGdYl2oI3g/s400/IMG950423.jpg" width="299" height="400" /></a><br />I heard her first cry and was overcome with emotion. I was there for the birth of my nephew Hunter, Drew, Levi, Alivia and of course my own children...but this emotion was different. With the older kids, I remember my main emotions were excitement and pure love that I could hardly contain. This time was different. I was flooded with gratitude. As I made my way into the room and the grandparents snatched up that sweet girl, my focus was on my brother and sister-in-law. I closed my eyes and thanked God for these two people....for so many reasons. I looked at Jarad, and couldn't keep the tears at bay. I am so proud of him and the man he has become. I am so thankful for our friendship...and for his flawless wife picking abilities.<br /><br />When it was finally my turn to hold the baby, I remember silence....and then a song started playing on the ipod.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm finding myself at a loss for words</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And the funny thing is it's okay</span>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The last thing I need is to be heard</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But to hear what You would say.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Word of God speak.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Would You pour down like rain.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Washing my eyes to see</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your majesty.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To be still and know</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">That You're in this place</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please let me stay and rest</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In Your holiness</span>,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Word of God speak.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm finding myself in the midst of You.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beyond the music, beyond the noise</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All that I need is to be with You</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And in the quiet hear Your voice.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Word of God speak.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Would You pour down like rain.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Washing my eyes to see</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your majesty.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To be still and know</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">That You're in this place</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please let me stay and rest</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In Your holiness</span>,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Word of God speak.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm finding myself at a loss for words</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And the funny thing is it's okay</span><br /><br />-Mercy Me<br />Word of God Speak<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >The tears could not be stopped. As I cried I looked at this precious girl and was overwhelmed with gratitude. Our God is so good. He is SO, so good.<br /><br />As the song ended, I heard whistles in the background and turned to see the NCAA tournament just starting....and I knew Steph was watching.</span></div></div>Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-61937087833775596452011-03-03T20:16:00.001-08:002011-03-03T20:38:31.813-08:00PoopTastic!This post comes with a disclaimer. If you don't want to hear a story about dog poo....stop reading now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1yPdafpXz8oHMLr4whi4tnyHaRP6DYGayw7lwq3sawG5xCIKt23wXqb-_Dk_KDA_shZoeNZEIqTsR7zM_pLxDFrgOJiafb9vlRN1zyLsnB0-VqM8cCF6POmTJyI44eR_cApx0f0A7mA/s1600/Family-10-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1yPdafpXz8oHMLr4whi4tnyHaRP6DYGayw7lwq3sawG5xCIKt23wXqb-_Dk_KDA_shZoeNZEIqTsR7zM_pLxDFrgOJiafb9vlRN1zyLsnB0-VqM8cCF6POmTJyI44eR_cApx0f0A7mA/s320/Family-10-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580074129976540754" border="0" /></a><br />This is Major. He's a good boy. He is also a BIG boy. Weighing in at approximately 145 pounds, nothing he does is small. We rescued him at the end of the summer and he has fit perfectly into our family. When we got him he was already house trained and he is wonderful with the kids.<br /><br />This morning, I had just gotten up and was returning to my bedroom after picking out the kids clothes for the day. I was walking across the landing between our bedrooms and heard something spill. I whipped around because I seriously thought one of the kids had dumped a giant cup of water on the rug in the middle of the landing. To my dismay, a dump certainly had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occurred</span>. Unfortunately, the dump came from Mr. Major. His name has never been more fitting. As I tried to guide him AWAY from the rug and to the nearest door, I realized that maybe we should just stay put....I will spare you the details, but man...it was BAD.<br /><br />I led the poor guy out the door onto our deck that is off our bedroom. (This would be the first time I went outside. This will be important to another part of this story.) I went back in and began securing the scene. The children were instructed to stay in their rooms, which really wasn't a problem. They were both gagging. I was trying to only breathe through my mouth. I also have allergies, which causes a runny nose, which I could not sniff for fear I may lose it...so I was looking SUPER SEXY with that going on. I started mopping and disinfecting. I scrubbed a little on the rug, but realized I would not have time if I was going to get Claire to school on time. I made the decision to take the rug out and hang it on the deck. As I was flipping it over the rail, I felt quite a breeze only to realize...I was still in my pajamas. My pajamas were a short t-shirt....and that's about it. I quickly took a survey of my surroundings and prayed there were no golfers that might have been subjected to my morning glory. I thought I was off the hook until I looked to my left where the maintenance shed for the course is located. OH. MY. GOODNESS. There stood an entire crew of workers. There I stood in a t-shirt and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scoobies</span>. <br /><br />As I hung my head in shame and cowered back to the safety of my bedroom I thought to myself, "The good news about starting a day like this...It really can only get better from here."Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-49357756800890654532011-02-26T18:30:00.000-08:002011-02-26T20:52:56.663-08:00The Facebook.I have a few addictions that I am walking a fine line with. One is caffeine, the other is Facebook. It doesn't seem like the end of either addiction is near...not even close. I love Facebook for so many reasons. I have reconnected with some seriously awesome people and many of them helped me through a <a href="http://claireandcocosmommy.blogspot.com/2010/07/stephanie-phillips.html">VERY hard time</a> in my life. I enjoy posting funny little quips about my silly little life, because let's face it...I'm a crack up. People comment, tell me I'm a crack up, I get my daily affirmations and I don't even have to call <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY">Stewart Smalley</a>. I love to check in with my friends who moved away and watch their children grow up album by album. Every once in a while, someone will throw in a video of their kid doing something awesome so I watch, love it and comment on what a treasure that child is. (AND mean it with all my heart!) I get to read about medical issues this person is having, what people are having for dinner, how many days until that persons vacation, who has a teething child, what movies people are seeing and what sporting events are on the schedule. All this is fine. POSSIBLY a time suck...but harmless. The stalker in me LOVES it.<br /><br />THEN, there is the other side of Facebook (and the Internet for that matter) that I fear is going to be the demise of a technology dependent generation. The negativity is sometimes stifling. From complaining about the weather to griping about the state of the union. People get behind their keyboards and seem to lose all sense of what is polite. I have honestly considered deleting my page, but I would miss keeping up with some of the seriously awesome people on my friends list. I would also be depriving the Facebook world of my hilarity...and I know you would all just hate that. Any suggestions? Thoughts on the matter?Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-48276173172768128142011-02-24T20:11:00.000-08:002011-04-02T20:22:27.077-07:00Pancakes With Pop!Today was "Pancakes With Pop" at the preschool. Due to a scheduling conflict (and a MAJOR lack of communication on my part) Big Daddy was not able to attend. However, in our family...no need to worry!! There's always extra love to go around! Scot and Uncle came and had breakfast with our littles. They loved it and we weren't the least bit surprised to find Scot cleaning up after everyone when they were done!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWTHqmw0NtL8nFxQbRDo6nYD3Cn26rA2MYQAGIotESo-1mOEh45RlMiz1iej263pRvdbVrOtQG_dUTmO1Lv-Qo9g7tDJr2Zk4zXSR_CLooIXfTrZqUyuGgiuqK313psMOqu03YWPX5eY/s1600/110_7245.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWTHqmw0NtL8nFxQbRDo6nYD3Cn26rA2MYQAGIotESo-1mOEh45RlMiz1iej263pRvdbVrOtQG_dUTmO1Lv-Qo9g7tDJr2Zk4zXSR_CLooIXfTrZqUyuGgiuqK313psMOqu03YWPX5eY/s320/110_7245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591190512717085730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHzCDAbPhOBU4MaqqzfTYHINMjb-Op50AtxdkzT3qg1g8ek4gNX-DmwGKV5IMfwHXacKf9J3tO1mBDRR14SanqcZyZo38CGkQwhA1Kt5kD2U1CHljYTtSwWObUNVjyZWZb7WnIxqBfjw/s1600/110_7247.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHzCDAbPhOBU4MaqqzfTYHINMjb-Op50AtxdkzT3qg1g8ek4gNX-DmwGKV5IMfwHXacKf9J3tO1mBDRR14SanqcZyZo38CGkQwhA1Kt5kD2U1CHljYTtSwWObUNVjyZWZb7WnIxqBfjw/s320/110_7247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591190523950786546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NmycEWF_SVqzuYJfcjXOOoNYXlc-uYosDyWs_oVgLjf6B6KJ6SxbERQa-Q7L1Okf8DK7GhVfospwbZwcPDehiZEl5VOnt0hZpOj2mtBWrIEPHHUX0vp67w4OrAub3MGVUpFp2TWsvpI/s1600/110_7246.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NmycEWF_SVqzuYJfcjXOOoNYXlc-uYosDyWs_oVgLjf6B6KJ6SxbERQa-Q7L1Okf8DK7GhVfospwbZwcPDehiZEl5VOnt0hZpOj2mtBWrIEPHHUX0vp67w4OrAub3MGVUpFp2TWsvpI/s320/110_7246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591190520122237010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_2gdRNKiSvMOCDL6AaLdyDowE2POYYlzC9uMSikIaKw_tIStSj-4GnQMeCQ1MpMMfdH8JZnhDKRQIo_cLw81l300WL8TcQDTR1_BIoheCkE5yacVqAL88-AzZ3BOUBp7YRJlKO5TOPw/s1600/110_7248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_2gdRNKiSvMOCDL6AaLdyDowE2POYYlzC9uMSikIaKw_tIStSj-4GnQMeCQ1MpMMfdH8JZnhDKRQIo_cLw81l300WL8TcQDTR1_BIoheCkE5yacVqAL88-AzZ3BOUBp7YRJlKO5TOPw/s320/110_7248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591190529495316658" border="0" /></a>Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-15966379077298374112011-02-18T20:02:00.000-08:002011-02-18T20:19:57.528-08:00Cohen-isms.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mo8DnHeld5xo3cFyhMPa5M9T8M-IwZ5ywi-2QOYpXdZLOfhvFyOFTNIoh6H1mQcqwLOjQLLpqFjRhgBk5GCjIv1T08PGuj9TBHPwKduaqLgoQOm8N4Xlm6Zu0koVaOOQ5WzL90EqBV4/s1600/DSCN0056.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mo8DnHeld5xo3cFyhMPa5M9T8M-IwZ5ywi-2QOYpXdZLOfhvFyOFTNIoh6H1mQcqwLOjQLLpqFjRhgBk5GCjIv1T08PGuj9TBHPwKduaqLgoQOm8N4Xlm6Zu0koVaOOQ5WzL90EqBV4/s320/DSCN0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575250606347432594" border="0" /></a><br />I MUST document some stories from our sweet Coco. He is in that stage that just cracks me up on a daily. I remember Claire going through the same phase. I have to document these stories, because I know I will forget them next month! If you follow me on facebook, you've already heard these, so bear with me!<br /><br />After the Blizzard of 2011, we went out to play in the snow. We had been sledding, digging, sliding and crunching away in the snow for about 30 minutes. Cohen came around the corner and said, "HOLY COW MOMMA! Those icicles are WILLY SAWTY!" (Cohen speak for "really salty") Wondering where on earth he was able to reach an icicle I asked, "What icicles?" He looked and me and so sweetly said, "The ones from your twuck." Um gross.<br /><br />Last weekend, we were dropping Levi, Drew and Nanny off at Nanny and Papa's house. Cohen started to unbuckle and I told him to stay buckled in, we were not going in. He said, "But MOMMA! I have to go talk to a man about a horse!" I asked him what he was talking about and he replied, "I have to PEEEE!"<br /><br />He couldn't wait for our "Lumber" party tonight with the Phillips boys.<br /><br />He calls the Power Ranger's weapons, their "webbins."<br /><br />He tips his cowboy hat and says, "Howdy Ma'am" when I walk into the room.<br /><br />He calls me his best mommy.<br /><br />He has me wrapped around his finger.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-48326423830452857642011-02-16T17:08:00.000-08:002011-04-02T17:32:19.057-07:00First Game.The torch has been passed. Cohen started playing basketball. And let me say, he started with a bang!! The first play of the game, he took off and scored the first basket of the season...and of his life!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Di43x5jqGqG7ZkpqFXNj9ibwXoc1wAK8ngW9JHvHNHfGrpPRlKrwos3G7VNAIKuQwYHfkeNhYBVNipFiESwn-6OLnao1VvKPPQlvgQf37UtPQ_pzVtFUMkjIbEyOd8ykLwB3Np3tfMU/s1600/DSCN0071.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Di43x5jqGqG7ZkpqFXNj9ibwXoc1wAK8ngW9JHvHNHfGrpPRlKrwos3G7VNAIKuQwYHfkeNhYBVNipFiESwn-6OLnao1VvKPPQlvgQf37UtPQ_pzVtFUMkjIbEyOd8ykLwB3Np3tfMU/s320/DSCN0071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591144625970982354" border="0" /></a><br />By complete chance, his jersey (the only size medium) was number 34. This number is special because 34 was Big Daddy's number in high school and college. Cohen was SO EXCITED!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQd_xuZ7YFh5QmPD7TWRZyNtwKOA8UMOWQ1RppJlMdHn7JPKb2Tj0_q8THqzf_6qVubUPxo85z8qtoB9u3in4ZrW_Ei-9VRCSBWopd84idxgrDnvzLk80I2bG-waN8GRIS6w3XOmAhHQ/s1600/DSCN0079.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQd_xuZ7YFh5QmPD7TWRZyNtwKOA8UMOWQ1RppJlMdHn7JPKb2Tj0_q8THqzf_6qVubUPxo85z8qtoB9u3in4ZrW_Ei-9VRCSBWopd84idxgrDnvzLk80I2bG-waN8GRIS6w3XOmAhHQ/s320/DSCN0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591144624660570466" border="0" /></a><br />Our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">littles</span>...Levi (31), Cohen (34) and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Livi</span> (33), were very excited to be in a real live huddle!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA8faxt5TgHOXJgyLmS2MA0aLPDZ6HYwJLspdu-D7IfB9JZ-Ej1M2zSz5OHgGEY2YAFl-gCgWSKsA-J8n9OLJRrBalFQvyM2Wk-37Mot7gPmlvtcd3y0XeKBFxkTevp-LKMufkq-SKWg/s1600/DSCN0092.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA8faxt5TgHOXJgyLmS2MA0aLPDZ6HYwJLspdu-D7IfB9JZ-Ej1M2zSz5OHgGEY2YAFl-gCgWSKsA-J8n9OLJRrBalFQvyM2Wk-37Mot7gPmlvtcd3y0XeKBFxkTevp-LKMufkq-SKWg/s320/DSCN0092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591144618677342082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT0RvISb6PE8B_6mzzFkM2qEdQNjuBIzqBaN-5UNRfGmuA42N-WfBLaqf_XyK_fhE0OuhG0qp27sGSjZFZE3FSH2lp0FzoFTYuknK8wF_XL_IB3MdM6t2gLxckIh8Gil9IDkENTR8JIE/s1600/DSCN0092.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT0RvISb6PE8B_6mzzFkM2qEdQNjuBIzqBaN-5UNRfGmuA42N-WfBLaqf_XyK_fhE0OuhG0qp27sGSjZFZE3FSH2lp0FzoFTYuknK8wF_XL_IB3MdM6t2gLxckIh8Gil9IDkENTR8JIE/s320/DSCN0092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591144616725852082" border="0" /></a><br />This was such a fun morning. A little emotional at times because Levi's momma should have been there to watch his very first game. However, I'm sure she was watching from Heaven and I know she was so thankful to Coach Melody and Coach Lori for taking the time to coach their team. <br /><br />I was so proud of my guy. The best part, he is actually EXCITED about basketball. We are trying to be very careful about burning the kids out at a young age, but it doesn't look like that will be a problem for Mr. Coco!! We were ALL proud of him...but I don't think anyone was as proud as Big Daddy.Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-11722193232074427082011-02-14T14:38:00.000-08:002011-02-14T14:42:25.145-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUyO2SjjRGFKi5CSx6ns37QDh1ywByGS87NXQK51jIRiZL1N7F5p6LiJp7WeQz9VrsrtOHet0c9MxYGfhs6ZG6FXtZ8aSCHtdOvypLmg0vOjFEnwA-7oMnWPF7n0ZQXBaVp-eKkTD3Ts/s1600/181717_188722477828806_105104512857270_495844_5577482_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUyO2SjjRGFKi5CSx6ns37QDh1ywByGS87NXQK51jIRiZL1N7F5p6LiJp7WeQz9VrsrtOHet0c9MxYGfhs6ZG6FXtZ8aSCHtdOvypLmg0vOjFEnwA-7oMnWPF7n0ZQXBaVp-eKkTD3Ts/s320/181717_188722477828806_105104512857270_495844_5577482_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573678972767292866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From Levi, Cohen, Drew, Alivia and Claire!<br /><br />(Drew decided that the boys would all strike that pose...they all did it, and looked at the camera so we weren't asking questions.)Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809136189763642973.post-76449224074882212812011-02-09T11:34:00.000-08:002011-02-09T12:06:26.206-08:00Organized Chaos.It has to be obvious that we are snowed in again. Two blog posts in one day has not been happening around here lately. I am suddenly ready to jump back into the blogosphere. I am currently in the middle of a HUGE overhaul of my house. I have decided that "things" are slowly becoming my demise. Since moving into our new house over a year ago, our space nearly tripled. Being the one that is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the inside of the house...I was nervous about the transition. My instincts were spot on and I have become a slave to my house. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining because I LOVE our house and almost everything about it. I am just drowning in housework. It had gotten to the point where I became physically ill when I started thinking about all of the chores that I were still left at the end of the day. After hours of brainstorming with my momma, I knew what I had to do. <br /><br />Each thing brought into my house (be it live or inanimate), creates work. I must decide as I walk through the door with anything, "Is this worth the work it will cause me?" I used to be a little bit of a pack rat. No need to call "Hoarders: Buried Alive" just yet. I wasn't THAT bad, but I often kept things that I thought I would use <span style="font-style: italic;">someday</span>. Well, someday is here. If I am not using it TODAY, then it's going out. I'm serious about this. You can't even imagine the pile of garage sale stuff that has piled up in the basement. (Our neighborhood garage sale is the last Saturday in April and I can't wait!) I haven't had a problem getting rid of stuff because I KNOW it will be worth letting go. Hopefully the husband, kids and dog can prove themselves worthy. ;-)<br /><br />As I chug along, leaving a path of organization in my wake, I am thankful. Thankful that I have a mom who will listen to my frustrations and offer such great ideas. I'm also thankful for a husband who doesn't tell me I'm crazy when I tell him I already want to repaint our bedroom and bathroom. I think he knows that after almost two weeks being snowed in with the kiddos, I am bound to come up with all kinds of "creative" ideas. Now I must go...I have some trash bags to fill!Chrissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199363014797783356noreply@blogger.com2