tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730844306292051582024-03-13T12:27:52.532-07:00127thingsAndrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-55443704249268215782017-03-16T16:35:00.000-07:002017-03-16T16:36:55.271-07:00#79. Thy Will Be Done is Powerful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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11 Years. It seems like yesterday, yet it seems like a lifetime ago. This year is especially rattling for me, as it happened on the exact same day of the week. I find myself reliving everything. I remember every single detail about the week leading up to it...what we ate, what we wore, what we watched on TV, who visited the house, etc. I had taken some time off of work because I knew the end was in sight. I stayed at my parent's house desperately praying that a miracle would come. I remember trying to act so positive, so upbeat as I watched her grow more and more weak. I remember trying to hold it together for my dad, my grandma, and my brothers. I remember absolutely crumbling after my mom cried to me that she was so sad to be leaving us- she was never angry, just sad. I remember trying to console my granny- my mom's mom- as she watched her daughter prepare for the inevitable. I remember the sunny Monday when hospice said it was time for her to go to the hospital for good. I remember her telling her beloved puppy goodbye. I remember the doctors saying she would be gone by Monday night...then Tuesday night... then Wednesday night...I remember not leaving that hospital until I left without her - with my dad, in the wee hours of Thursday morning. I remember what I wore. I remember the little bits I ate while staying at the hospital. I remember wiping her face with a cool rag when she became restless. I remember who visited. I remember making funeral arrangements in the middle of that very night instead of going to bed. I remember it all. Everything.<br />
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In the 11 years since her death, I have constantly tried to learn from it, from her. The book that she left me is my most treasured possession and a constant source of strength and life lessons. Number 79 in the book is strong- when I think back, I kept praying that "thy will be done" and for "thy will" to be for her to get miraculously better. I was <i>so</i> angry when she didn't. I couldn't understand why my prayers weren't answered. I had a hard time coming to terms with how God could take away my 50 year old beautiful, usually healthy mother from me. She didn't get to see her youngest son get married, she didn't get to meet any of her grandchildren, she didn't get to travel like she wanted to, she didn't even get to retire on her own time. Why on earth would God not have listened to what I thought "thy will" should be!?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last Christmas together</td></tr>
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After all of this time, I have come to a major realization - <b>THY will does <i>NOT</i> equal MY will.</b> I spent so much time during my mom's sickness trying to control the outcome of what was happening to my family. I never fully grasped the concept that God knew what He was doing. I now firmly believe He had greater plans for her. Do I still get upset that she's not here? All of the time. Everyday. When I look at my kids, see their joy in various things, watch them play in games or do cartwheels- I wish she was here. When they bring home a good report card or need extra snuggles when they are sick- I wish she was here. When they are upset about something and I need parenting advice- I wish she was here. When I see other kids with their grandparents- I wish she was here. When I want to brag about my kids or complain that they are driving me insane- I wish she was here. I still have my pity parties occasionally, but I know that I had a better mom in my 25 years with her than most have in a lifetime.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So grateful she was there for my wedding, even with low blood counts in between treatments.</td></tr>
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I wish she was here everyday of my life, but I have come to accept that what I was praying for was not what the ultimate will for her was. I know that she is still here with us, every minute of every day. I know that she sees every basketball game, every cartwheel, every snuggle. I know that my kids have an extra special guardian angel. As difficult as it has been to accept, I know that God's will for her was much greater than anything here on Earth. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My all-time favorite picture- I love the light shining down on my kids. </td></tr>
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I still pray the "Our Father" all of the time. I now try to pray not for just what I want, but for what God's will really is for the situation and for each day. I take strength in the fact that no matter what, God always has a master plan and reason. To this day, I still try to use my experience with my mom to help others. She always said that if what she went through could help one single person, then it was meaningful. I like to think that her courage, strength, and faith still inspire others. When I run into people that knew her, hear from students of hers, talk with friends of hers, I am reminded that God's will for her on earth still carries on. She impacted so many in her 50 short years and there is no greater honor than when people tell me I remind them of her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pictures of my mom and my little brother at my older brother's wedding...such pure joy on her face.</td></tr>
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I have a sign that hangs in my house that I purchased shortly after she passed. It is the Abraham Lincoln quote "It is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years." God's will for her here on earth unfortunately was completed in 50 short years, but the life in those years was meaningful and amazing. I don't yet know what His will for her was after leaving this earth, but I know that her legacy and life lessons will carry on forever.<br />
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<br />Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-73290721932104272482016-03-16T13:34:00.001-07:002016-03-16T13:35:12.337-07:0010 Years- and Always With Me<div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10 Years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ten whole years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The term "ten years" usually signifies something pretty monumental. A ten year birthday is entering the double-digit years, the preteen years. A ten year anniversary is a big deal for a married couple, as they have probably been through quite a bit together by this point, started a family, changed jobs, etc. A ten year mark for a business is important, signifying that the business is solid, profitable, and well- respected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 year anniversary of death though? Not so great, not so monumental, not hardly believable. It seems as though it was just a few months ago, but at the same time it seems like a lifetime ago. Ten years ago, God called my amazing mom to her final home. It was on a Wednesday, just like today. Ten years ago I became a grown-up of sorts. I was 25, so I was already a technical "grown up". However, on this day 10 years ago I learned what it was like to really become a grown up- one without a mom to guide me through this crazy life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I knew it was coming in those final few months, but I kept hoping and praying for a miracle. I prayed that my mom was going to be miraculously healed and used as an example of God's amazing powers. This wasn't to be, and she went home to Heaven on March 16. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember what I had on. I remember walking out of the hospital with my dad around 1am. I remember the smell of the air, the way the sun shone the day we laid her to rest, and the way I felt lost. I remember the way I felt like I had to be strong for my family, and take over my mom's role as the family coordinator. I remember the food the people brought to our house. I remember cleaning out her closet and saving so many of her things that I still won't part with. I remember reading the journal she left me constantly just to feel a little closer to her. I remember returning to work to the best first grade class ever- the way those kids and their families loved on me was something I will never forget. I remember the amazing friends that I have- sitting with me going through pictures of my mom, coming and staying with me. I remember how patient Jeremy was with my constant emotional state. I remember being consumed by worry about my dad and my grandma. I remember wondering if I would ever not feel lonely and lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then days, weeks, months passed. I changed jobs, we moved closer to home. I gained some new friends that are now like sisters to me. I was blessed with the amazing gift of Brady one year later- coming a month early, going into labor on the anniversary of her death- so that this time of year is always a joyful time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The pain lessened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I threw myself full-speed ahead into motherhood. We became busier and busier. With every joyous occasion, I wished she was there more than anything. Next came Luke, then Claire. The hole in my heart has shrunk down so much, because my heart is so full from being a mommy. Often times though, I will look at my kids and just ache to see her with them. Jeremy just said to me the other day after a basketball game of Brady's "man, your mom would have loved watching him play." I know that she has the best seat in the house, but that doesn't quite fill the gap of her physical presence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the course of these 10 years, the pain has decreased. I guess the saying that "time heals" is somewhat true. However, I don't ever think there will be a day where I don't ache to talk to her or hug her. I have learned that I must do as she always said and "live my life". I have learned to try to cherish each moment with my family. I take this to the extreme at times and know that I need to work on this. For instance, Jeremy and I have never been away from the kids overnight. Ever. This is not because I am some crazy control freak of a mom, but because I am petrified of leaving them early like my mom left me. I feel the need to spend every moment with them that I can. I often times think about what must have been going through my mom's head during her illness as she looked at my brothers and I. As horrific as it was losing her, I cannot imagine knowing that I am leaving my husband and children. She handled it with such grace and poise, making sure she had everything ready, everything said that needed to be said. I cry thinking of how this must have killed her inside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The miracle I prayed for didn't happen, but lessons that were larger than life did. I have learned so much from losing my mom, even 10 years later. I have learned that we shouldn't always pray for what WE want to happen, but for God's will. I have learned to value the quality of relationships in my life over the quantity. My mom had several dear friends that are still close to me today, and I know that I have been blessed with some similar kinds of friends. I have learned that it is imperative to help others dealing with loss...this somehow makes everything I went through make a tiny bit more sense. I have learned that being a mother is the hardest, yet most rewarding job in the universe. I have learned that ten years sounds like an incredibly long time, but it goes by in the blink of an eye. I have learned to look for signs of my mom everywhere- in the sunshine on beautiful days, in the snuggles on snowdays, in my kids laughter as they dance to Whip and NaeNae in front of the tv. I have learned to not feel sorry for myself, that there is always someone dealing with something even worse. I have learned that my mom taught me everything I needed from her in my short time with her- I still recall things she said, recipes she made, lectures she gave me--ten years later. Most of all, I have learned that when she wrote that no matter what, she will always be with me- she was serious. She is with me, at all time, right inside of my heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> So on this tenth anniversary of sorts, I pray that my mom is happy, not sad. I pray that she continues to watch over my family and be her grandchildren's guardian angel. I pray that she continues to make her presence known all of the time, and that my kids will grow up knowing how very much she loved them before they were even here. </span></div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-38353992928621984252015-09-04T14:00:00.001-07:002015-09-04T14:00:07.522-07:00#120. We Were So Thrilled To Have A Girl!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Oh Claire Marie, where do I even begin??? This post is in honor of my Claire Bear's 3rd birthday, and I think that the above quote from my mama is very appropriate being that I was my parents' only daughter and Claire is our only daughter. Funny thing is, as thrilled as I am <i>now</i> to have my baby girl, I wasn't extremely thrilled in the beginning.</div>
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We found out that we were expecting baby #3 the day after Christmas- what an amazing gift! My sweet and loving Granny (my mom's mom) that I was SO close with passed away a week and a half after I found out that I was pregnant. I will write much more on Granny at a later date, but she was the first person that we told, as she was not well and we wanted her to know. Her words to me were: "I hope it's a girl...but it will be another boy. Oh well, he will be cute as the dickens' just like your other two!". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bond these two have is the sweetest.</td></tr>
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Turns out she wasn't the only one with a girl on the mind- As soon as people found out, the comments had a very common theme- "I hope it is a girl!", "Are you hoping for a girl?", "You really need a girl." and many more. As each person commented, I became more and more defensive. I could not STAND when people said that we needed a girl to have our family be complete. I am a firm believer that God gives us what we are meant to have, and that if I was meant to be a boy-only mom then I would be that to the best of my ability! I LOVE my boys. I thought I was doing a good job as a boy mom, it was all that I knew. I liked having two little boys that loved their mommy, I like sports, I was NOT into the color pink, I wasn't into Barbie dolls or princesses, etc. I actually loved the idea of having 3 little boys that would all grow up to be best buddies. I was almost certain that Claire was a boy- I analyzed my 12 week ultrasound to no end, and was convinced that I could see a little boy "part" on it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love watching this baby girl sleep!</td></tr>
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We went for our 20 week growth ultrasound in April of 2012. We took the boys with us, and we were almost certain that it would be verified that we were being blessed with yet another sweet bundle of boy. When the ultrasound tech told us to think pink, we about fell over! The boys groaned and we were in slight shock. I wasn't sure how to feel! I knew how to handle boys, I had boy clothes and boy toys and was just a boy mom! The whole girl thing took a little while to sink in...friends started buying pink things and tossing around girl names. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They love her SOOOO much!</td></tr>
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It took a little while, but I definitely warmed up to the idea of having a girl a little slower than most. I think subconsciously I was terrified to have a girl because I remember very clearly being in the hospital with my mom towards the end...I remember her praying with me and talking to me long before I had my own kids. I clearly remember her saying "If you ever have a daughter, please make sure you are vigilant over her health and have her take preventative measures too." It is hard enough to worry about preventing cancer myself, but having to worry about a daughter going through what my mom did is almost too much to handle. Many people thought that I was nuts at first because I could NOT get into the "pink" part of having a girl. I immediately decided to decorate her nursery in purple and gray. The pink was just such a reminder of the terrible disease that stole this baby girl's grammy. Emotionally it was just too much for me to deal with being hormonal and pregnant and missing my mom terribly. (I have since warmed up to pink and Claire loves it as well!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire at 1 year old</td></tr>
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Claire Marie Schafer made her grand entrance on September 4, 2012 shortly after noon. It was an incredibly calm and peaceful delivery, unlike her two brothers'. She was breathtakingly beautiful, like a little baby doll. In an instant, she gained the adoration of her daddy and big brothers. Brady would burst home from kindergarten that year to hold her on the couch. Luke would try to get her toys and blankies constantly. Jeremy would lay on the couch every single night for months with her on his chest once the boys were in bed. My boys simply adore this little girl. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Ej9YAoTDWol4SeyiXp8NAXmi1KmlFf8UR0Jkdq9b4YP7NdCJ4CcjxXss24UlJGrpjNI1j2UeZElKSg49RCHBxtlO6Ue8IWiiF-1iRo9zP3fzznedhzNGyNV2mNLvOCTDoRROVpv4FA/s640/blogger-image-792921802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Ej9YAoTDWol4SeyiXp8NAXmi1KmlFf8UR0Jkdq9b4YP7NdCJ4CcjxXss24UlJGrpjNI1j2UeZElKSg49RCHBxtlO6Ue8IWiiF-1iRo9zP3fzznedhzNGyNV2mNLvOCTDoRROVpv4FA/s640/blogger-image-792921802.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She adores Brady so much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke is Claire's built-in playmate.</td></tr>
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From day one, Claire has not slept. She did not sleep through the night for 2.5 years. I didn't even mind (that much). I will forever cherish the night after night after night sitting up in her rocking chair, talking to God and my mom. 11pm, 2am, 4am, you name it. I remember so clearly rocking and thinking how God always has a perfect plan for us...I did not think that I was cut out to be a girl mom. I did not think I necessarily had to have a girl to feel complete...but I did. Not because everyone needs to have a girl, or a boy, or both. But because since my mom died, even though I have amazing family and friends, I have been missing that mother-daughter relationship so, so much.</div>
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I think that I was almost terrified to have it again because I lost it and it crushed me- but now I have it and I am so in love with this little girl that it hurts. I love her brothers to the moon and back, and they are everything to me as well. However, I find Claire saying things already at the tender age of almost 3 that I remember my mom saying. I find myself doing things with her, like cooking constantly, like my mom and I did together. It is almost like a little piece of my mom has been given back to me through her. <br />
Brady was born at a time to be a gift from her, Luke has a heart like her, and Claire is a piece of her. <i>God is so, so good.</i> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third child problems :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_6tYmFAloXo7Eyq2Mz0aWQ8dMveiOTSA0ONyu6pjLtqVO011WIzRN8jnh0ZGRY1yggNTdciXu6DxAfdJzmsjWI-QRBrd8zEhjUgURBwkOAca3donOIA1zB18nvpvzvwMuAK4kADdElU/s640/blogger-image--1814226788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_6tYmFAloXo7Eyq2Mz0aWQ8dMveiOTSA0ONyu6pjLtqVO011WIzRN8jnh0ZGRY1yggNTdciXu6DxAfdJzmsjWI-QRBrd8zEhjUgURBwkOAca3donOIA1zB18nvpvzvwMuAK4kADdElU/s640/blogger-image--1814226788.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire ALWAYS has sunglasses on. Always. She has about 8 pairs of them.</td></tr>
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Claire still does not require much sleep (like her mother!) and is constantly on the move. Her mouth never, ever, ever stops moving. She is absolutely hysterical, but bossy as all get out. She rules our household, bosses the boys around, and makes us be quiet when her baby dolls are sleeping. She is obsessed with cooking in her play kitchen, baking in the real kitchen with me, and being a mommy to her baby dolls and princesses. She loves to push her stroller around and fill it and her purses with all kinds of junk...she is like a mini bag-lady. She is the tiniest little peanut, looks just like her daddy, has an amazing wardrobe, and is a prissy tomboy ( if that makes sense- she will play a full game of wiffle ball with the boys while wearing princess high heels and 50 pieces of jewelry). She loves to swim, jump on the trampoline, and play anything in the world with her brothers. They continue to dote on her in the sweetest of ways- they have always helped out with her, play with her, think of her even when they are not with her (they will grab her a sucker when they get haircuts, etc). Claire cannot ever let any of us say "I love you" to her without saying "I love you to the moon and back on a blue rocket ship", and the boys happily oblige as much as we do.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBipeMwYrkrMoCBsUqygrwiNtEkIVXzC3gL8leRibpEPzDNQLkW4dbZ_d0T0oo_qwb6wcb0OsAOUhowp_CryBn17ag1lSfLPEPKi6lvEpRmKLOVAJ36EDwisCOOGk8UPCEYlYY1roMfA/s640/blogger-image--1699441216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBipeMwYrkrMoCBsUqygrwiNtEkIVXzC3gL8leRibpEPzDNQLkW4dbZ_d0T0oo_qwb6wcb0OsAOUhowp_CryBn17ag1lSfLPEPKi6lvEpRmKLOVAJ36EDwisCOOGk8UPCEYlYY1roMfA/s640/blogger-image--1699441216.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire on her 2nd birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping she likes Halloween more this year!</td></tr>
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Claire is so, so many things wrapped up into a teeny package. When she has her loud fits and demanding moments, I often think that it is my mom getting me back for when I was a defiant and mouthy teenager. I am sure that Claire and I will have many battles over the years, but I pray that we have many wonderful memories as well. I worry all of the time about something happening to me like it did to my mom, and I only pray that I have loads of time with my 3 babies and their daddy. I pray that if something would happen to me that I have enough time to prepare them, especially Claire, to be a parent someday (hopefully she is not one for about 25 years to anyone other than her babydolls). </div>
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Being a mom is TOUGH. Being a mom <i>without</i> a mom is even tougher. I hope to God that I am fortunate enough to live a long and healthy life and be here to see all three of my kids grow and have their own families. I pray that I can be there when Claire has her own babies someday and that we have a strong mother-daughter bond for many, many years. I hope that she knows that my mom, her grammy, loved her before she even existed. She loved her enough to tell me to make sure to take care of her and get her the preventative treatment she would need. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pout face </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful girl loves vacations!</td></tr>
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So on this third anniversary of your birth, my sweet and sour, funny and wild, silly and prissy, bossy and precious little Claire Bear, know that you are loved more than life itself. </div>
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<i>Know that God sent you to us because He knew how much we needed you, even before we knew it. </i> Please know that I hope to be to you what my mom was to me- my role model, my best friend, and my hero. <br />
Happy, happy birthday baby girl!</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-61248597816934326022015-07-20T15:09:00.001-07:002015-07-20T15:09:46.424-07:00#71. God Created You To Accomplish Wonderful Things<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore this little boy!</td></tr>
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<i><b>God Created You To Accomplish Wonderful Things</b></i><br />
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I know that when my mom wrote this journal for me, she obviously was meaning for each item to apply to me. However, I feel that she also knew it would be my guidebook for life and that once I was a mama I would apply it to every single day. The above quote is something I think about often when I look at my babies...I am loving every single second of their childhood and hate that it is going by so quickly, but watching them grow and develop into the little people that God created them to be is definitely one of life's greatest blessings. </div>
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I chose this topic to write about for this post because today is my sweet Lukie Bear's 6th birthday. I love all of my children with every bit of my being, but they are definitely all individuals and will do different things with their lives. God no doubt created my Luke to accomplish wonderful things. </div>
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Six years ago at 9:08am, Luke entered this world after 11 hours of labor. We were very nervous throughout my pregnancy with him due to the trouble I had with Brady...I had to be seen by my regular doctor and a specialist in Pittsburgh each month. I had the typical jitters about adding another baby after having just Brady. I wasn't sure how I could love another baby as much, but boy was I wrong! Luke is my baby boy, Brady's best friend, Claire's caretaker, and Jeremy's little helper. </div>
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Everyone that comes into contact with Luke instantly adores him...how could you not love that sweet face with little glasses!?</div>
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Luke is incredibly sensitive, quiet, and shy if you try to talk to him, although he has started to come out of his shell a bit. He loves, loves, loves playing and watching sports and anything that involves his big brother and Brady's friends. He is so obsessed with his big brother that he sleeps on his floor in his sleeping bag all the time just to be near him! Luke loves family time so much, from playing ball with Jeremy and Brady to playing house with Claire to fishing with pap or playing cards with Nana. He is very smart and loves doing anything that involves artwork, puzzles, math, or problem solving. He is a perfectionist like his dad and will practice things for long periods of time until he gets them right.</div>
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( I'm not trying to brag on my kid, but I want him to be able to look back at this someday and read what his mommy said about him at age 6 :) )</div>
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All of the above things are great, but I don't necessarily think they correlate with God creating him to accomplish wonderful things. I think that the wonderful things he was created for are more along the lines of his heart and compassion...his heart is the biggest I have ever known. He has a kindness inside of him that is so natural, so special, that he touches the hearts of many without even realizing it. He is so compassionate about others...his preschool teachers can vouch for his kindness to all, even young children with disabilities in his class. He doesn't see bad in anyone and thinks that kindness is the answer to every problem. </div>
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Of my 3 children, Luke is my most inquisitive. He was just asking at bedtime all about how he was born and if it was dark in my belly (haha!), if he met Grammy before he got in my belly (in Heaven before God gave him to us), and more. He asks deep questions about God, my mom, and Heaven frequently. The way he puts things together about this make me think that I was given this special little boy for a reason...he frequently reminds me that my mom is still alive in Heaven and can be reached through things as simple as a bedtime prayer or a balloon. He is fascinated by the fact that we will all be together in Heaven someday and seems very reassured by this.</div>
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As a mom, it is so interesting to watch our children develop into complete individuals. I think that it is easy to lose sight of the fact that not every child (hardly any) will make it to major leagues in sports, not all will get good grades or get into good colleges, and some may not go to college. Not all children will grow up and get married or have children. Not all will have fancy jobs or fancy homes. Does this mean that we have failed as parents!?? Absolutely not. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's preschool graduation!</td></tr>
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<i>God created you to accomplish wonderful things</i>. Wonderful things in life do not truly have to do with fancy jobs, homes, or colleges. They have to do with kindness, compassion, and humility. I don't care if a person has the greatest job or biggest bank account in the world- if they can't be kind to everyone and treat others with respect, what does that matter in the end? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's pick for a preschool graduation gift- a hermit crab!</td></tr>
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For some reason, when thinking about this post and about this quote, I kept thinking of a sweet worker at our local Wendy's (random, I know). There is the kindest lady that works at the drive through there...her name is Michelle. My friends can vouch for the fact that no matter what-whatever the weather, day of the week or time of the year, when we go through that drive through, whether it be on lunch break from work or with our children for an evening Frosty- Michelle is the sweetest, most kind-hearted lady ever who brings an instant smile to your face. Without a doubt, God created her to spread happiness through her funny and kind words she always has for her customers- she notices everything from earrings to scarves to kids in the backseat. This is her wonderful thing! This is how she is serving God and living her life- by being infectiously happy. </div>
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Would I be thrilled if Luke gets good grades through school and then gets into a great college and lands a great job? Of course. But would I be more thrilled to know that he spreads kindness everywhere he goes? To know that he genuinely cares about people's feelings and doesn't see race or religion or disabilities when he looks at people? Yes. Would I be more thrilled to know that he spreads love and shares with others about God and Heaven? Yes. </div>
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You see, "wonderful things" doesn't translate to "big things" or "fancy things". Being created to do wonderful things, to me, as Luke's mom (and Brady's and Claire's) is praying and hoping that he does his part to make this world a better place. I think that every single person that knows my Lucas Andrew Schafer can say that he is definitely well on his way to accomplishing wonderful things. </div>
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Happy, Happy birthday my sweet little Lukie...I love you to the moon and back and am so very proud to be your mommy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for this awesome picture, Lauren! ;)</td></tr>
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For my recipe for this post, I asked Luke what recipe of mine/my mom's is his favorite...he quickly said "your icing". LOL He LOVES when I make homemade cupcakes with my special icing- he eats it straight from the bowl. It is super fast to make and easy to color with food coloring. It is an excellent decorating/piping icing for any type of cakes/cupcakes.<br />
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1 1/2 cups Crisco (I use the crisco sticks)</div>
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1/2 cup of hot water</div>
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1/2 tsp. almond flavoring</div>
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1/2 tsp. vanilla</div>
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1 bag of powdered sugar (2 lbs.)</div>
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Pour the hot water over the crisco and let sit for 2 minutes. Then add in the flavorings and the powdered sugar. Mix on medium until desired consistency. You can then add in any colors with gel or liquid food coloring- I like the Wilton Gels. :)</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-64516934200528833682015-07-10T10:09:00.004-07:002015-07-10T10:09:38.192-07:00#38. Marriage is Work.... (11th Anniversary Post)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Marriage is work. It has its ups and downs, times of incredible feeling and feelings of how did I get here? Always remember how good it can be and don't settle for anything less.<br />
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I thought that it was extremely appropriate to save this item from the journal for our wedding anniversary. Today marks 11 years of being married. 11 years! We were just babies when we got married! It is so hard to believe that in 11 years we have been through 1 apartment, two houses, 4 jobs, the death of a parent and 2 grandparents, 3 babies, and zillions of memories.</div>
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I don't want to repeat everything that I wrote about in my second ever post (my mom's take on true, long- lasting love), but for a quick recap, here it is: Jeremy and I met our senior year at opposing high schools. At the time we met, we had both already committed to attending Miami University for college. We began to date, attended each other's senior proms, and went off to college together. It wasn't always perfect- we definitely had plenty of teenage/college arguments/breakups where we gave each other our "stuff" back (haha!), but we stayed together all 4 years of college. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Prom!!! Jeremy was sporting some Beverly Hills 90210 sideburns ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AkMREfFv6FD-5sgj44OKuLtjc3hlY18z2OysWf_AJzZ6awmQTaTbHMFHXSxF5ZQqF_0-nx68HoflQzg_UX_Wph57BIumHX0jFdKTgIDT_SUUg-jlNLOfjgOcnxGKJ7S7cYW2yhjW6N8/s640/blogger-image-1101371394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AkMREfFv6FD-5sgj44OKuLtjc3hlY18z2OysWf_AJzZ6awmQTaTbHMFHXSxF5ZQqF_0-nx68HoflQzg_UX_Wph57BIumHX0jFdKTgIDT_SUUg-jlNLOfjgOcnxGKJ7S7cYW2yhjW6N8/s640/blogger-image-1101371394.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshman year of college- we look like babies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My freshman dorm room at Miami!</td></tr>
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My mom was diagnosed during our senior year of college. By this point, we knew that we would get married. My mom actually stated this after our first date- she adored Jeremy. He was my rock through her entire sickness. He does not do well with anything involving the medical field, but he sucked it up and sat with me through her surgeries, treatments, and more. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">College selfie :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar hopping in college</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziemJLOF-U_0HMAxdFPEZxzfHv3MDh87Esz1eKDqulxo7CYbBM6RCOlqzBytGwxBjIg8wkbLIgkXXfFGYM3jaX-5q8g56MTf73z61iR8lZoNoD4kBRJhZDGB1egy1HF_qllT7cPWDxrE/s640/blogger-image-464269679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziemJLOF-U_0HMAxdFPEZxzfHv3MDh87Esz1eKDqulxo7CYbBM6RCOlqzBytGwxBjIg8wkbLIgkXXfFGYM3jaX-5q8g56MTf73z61iR8lZoNoD4kBRJhZDGB1egy1HF_qllT7cPWDxrE/s640/blogger-image-464269679.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School of Education graduation at Miami, 2003 with our dear friends Josh and Rachel</td></tr>
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We got engaged right after our senior year of college...we may have rushed it a bit being that we were only 22 and fresh out of college, but there was always an unstated sense of urgency that we wanted my mom to be there. Jeremy was offered a fantastic job in downtown Chicago immediately following graduation, but instead took a job close to home because he knew that I could not pick up and move halfway across the county when my mom was so ill. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e8fFinb2MhBTFi_SnG04nc_N7oeD0gjbAQDwxfSi2bZ607MWTOQC-vz-3SugwnQetvoo9zWPN0pWz71CAERy9KIl9sW8XZGIyQHbusU08wtbOA6AYrh1PRM61pShu06xTOvneqbSqLQ/s640/blogger-image--855392777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e8fFinb2MhBTFi_SnG04nc_N7oeD0gjbAQDwxfSi2bZ607MWTOQC-vz-3SugwnQetvoo9zWPN0pWz71CAERy9KIl9sW8XZGIyQHbusU08wtbOA6AYrh1PRM61pShu06xTOvneqbSqLQ/s640/blogger-image--855392777.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engagement dinner!</td></tr>
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We were married on July 10 of 2004...two young, 23 year old kids. We grew up alot those first few years of marriage...dealing with my mom's declining health and her death, building a house and then moving because of job changes, and more. Jeremy was the voice of reason in our marriage when I immediately wanted children because I wanted my mom to be here for them...he knew that it wasn't the right reasons or time. He was my rock when I had breakdowns all.the.time over my mom's illness and then death. Many of his 24-25 year old guy friends were still going out all the time, living it up, dating around, and just having fun being young. Jeremy had to grow up much more quickly than others because he chose to marry me, and along with me came the baggage of a dying mother. It wasn't exactly the ideal start to our lives together- at times we looked with envy at friends who got to travel all over the country before having children, had little responsibilities or committments...meanwhile we were driving to my parents house and/or the hospital constantly for the first 1.5 years of our marriage.<br />
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Through all of this, Jeremy NEVER once complained. Not once. This makes me think that even before my mom wrote this journal for me, he was fulfilling part of this item #38.- I am sure that during some of those early times when I was an emotional basketcase, or when he was sitting in a hospital with me rather than at a ballgame with friends, he was thinking "how did I get here!?". I am sure it flashed through his head that this was not what he had pictured getting married would be like....but he stuck by me, never complaining, always smiling and making my mom and I laugh, and just being the amazing human that he is. <br />
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Now, I know that when my mom wrote this item in the journal, she wasn't really just meaning that marriage was work because of things like we went through early on, but yet they did test and strengthen our marriage from the start.<br />
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"Marriage is work." How true this is, but how often this work seems to get ignored!!! Marriage isn't a 9-5 job that you go to and get paid for. Marriage isn't even work like how having children is work- you HAVE to feed and bathe and care for your children. There isn't anything that you HAVE to do for your marriage in order to function as a person on a daily basis. However, that seems to be why so many marriages may end up having problems or troubles. Because there is nothing that needs visibly "tended" to in marriage on a daily basis, and because life is SO incredibly busy, it can be so, so easy to push marriage to the backburner and assume that things will always be fine. <br />
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As the parents of 3 young children, we know firsthand that our marriage can get put aside because our kids keep up so busy/crazy. There are plenty of nights that by the time we get the kids to bed and the house picked up, one of us (JEREMY) is passed out on the couch or snoring in bed. We really TRY though to make time each night to talk about the day, our kids, anything coming up that needs discussed, etc. Just having a 20 minute conversation to end the day is time put in towards "working" on our marriage. When we are on the same page about things and have this time to connect, we function so much better as a couple.<br />
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Marriage definitely has it's ups and downs. Anyone would be lying to say it doesn't! Are there times when we are so tired or stressed because of work or kids that we snap at each other or give the silent treatment (guilty as charged)? Of course. We have even had some major blowups in our 11 years of marriage over petty things, but we both always want to win the argument. However, through all of this, I always flash back to this item in the journal- <i>ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW GOOD IT CAN BE AND DON"T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS</i>. We always, always end our fights/silent treatments by remembering this....we have it WAY too good to settle for anything less. We have 3 beautiful, healthy children and a great life together...it is so, so worth fighting for and working on.<br />
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To us, "working" on our marriage these days consists of our nightly talks and things such as watching 15 minutes of TV together before we pass out. It means getting a grandparent to babysit once in awhile so that we can escape and have dinner in peace. It means being completely honest with each other about everything It means giving a hug/kiss goodbye/goodnight/good morning/just because. It means sharing responsibilities to help the other one out- minor things can mean so much. Just the other evening, I had a horrible migraine. Jeremy simply told me to go lay down, made me a cup of tea, and then shut me in our room and took care of bathing the kids and getting them to bed. This might not seem like a huge deal, but to me it was a sign of his "work" and respect and commitment to me and our marriage.<br />
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I can't reflect on this item in the journal without mentioning my parents' marriage. They were married 29 years before my mom passed. I know that she wrote this item in the journal based on personal experience...she and my dad had an incredibly strong marriage. I have very vivid memories of watching them kiss as soon as my dad got home from work each night, sit on the deck with their coffee/tea each evening and hold hands and talk, taking long walks hand-in-hand on the beach, and more. I know that they went through much of what Jeremy and I now deal with- the stress of working and having 3 young children and finding time for each other. They taught me that "working" on your marriage doesn't require money, fancy gifts, or fancy dates. </div>
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<i><b>It simply requires respect and time. </b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8jrn3KOZpUmHWT6winrmd9_47HgNGaxmyl3ogDZkIKOMv60NpKp00NATO9XcPlbXrvV2wm5P1WFAhaTjrZI4sQwEWtUWrZqR1YFqtsjjK7Pd77bXYnLMbzgU2LrFUs4nd3Ga2INFw6s/s640/blogger-image--933717092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8jrn3KOZpUmHWT6winrmd9_47HgNGaxmyl3ogDZkIKOMv60NpKp00NATO9XcPlbXrvV2wm5P1WFAhaTjrZI4sQwEWtUWrZqR1YFqtsjjK7Pd77bXYnLMbzgU2LrFUs4nd3Ga2INFw6s/s640/blogger-image--933717092.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady is his dad's mini bff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEixWAiOULDFYg6lM1BgmvromqGLUSlTsyMKdlpao6vnT9OCZQdRfqo_3Q4kWgOD5jt6iPUhrsiynSDwPaURUiEN7gC8LIAO9nHWSEj91HqllZISbb_CN8349k57tkvdKSXuTXO-di0E/s640/blogger-image--235559540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEixWAiOULDFYg6lM1BgmvromqGLUSlTsyMKdlpao6vnT9OCZQdRfqo_3Q4kWgOD5jt6iPUhrsiynSDwPaURUiEN7gC8LIAO9nHWSEj91HqllZISbb_CN8349k57tkvdKSXuTXO-di0E/s640/blogger-image--235559540.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke is such a daddy's boy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuD-ImJpIZF12KKZecjZODMmP03IumJDCipiBm3_P7ITnZJ8Ag35-9ZZQNuNVo1uT-92kDb1aAcfN3OBwsgGwU7vvugiy165-vSU81wU8KnN_7LczptU0mNu7QRuEkuKEX_vy0HxBJ0w/s640/blogger-image--1548509622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuD-ImJpIZF12KKZecjZODMmP03IumJDCipiBm3_P7ITnZJ8Ag35-9ZZQNuNVo1uT-92kDb1aAcfN3OBwsgGwU7vvugiy165-vSU81wU8KnN_7LczptU0mNu7QRuEkuKEX_vy0HxBJ0w/s640/blogger-image--1548509622.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's little girl- these kids adore their dad!</td></tr>
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The love that they shared was so special, but I know they had moments of ups and downs. I know that dealing with my mom's sickness was alot of downs, but they tried to make the most of it. When it got towards the end, my mom wrote these journals for my brothers and I, as well as one for my dad, because it was "work" that she felt she had to do for her marriage and motherhood. She actually went as far as to make a list of women that my dad should look into dating once she was gone (crazy, I know). I think that this was a sense of "work" for her towards their marriage though...she loved him so strongly, so fiercely, that she did not ever want him to be alone. She talked to me alot about it and encouraged me to help him move on. She knew that their love was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and she did not want to see him grow old alone. I think that this is why my dad and my stepmom clicked so well....she too lost her husband to cancer. They had an amazing marriage and three beautiful children like my parents. My dad and Deb have a deep respect for their first marriages and the work that went into them. They work on their marriage now with love and admiration towards each other but also towards their first loves. <br />
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As I think back on our 11 years as a married couple, my memories are so, so, so full of joy and happiness. I pray every night that we have many, many, many more years together and get the privilege of good health and growing old together. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jeremy was handpicked for me, and that my mom probably high-fived God when she got to Heaven for selecting him for me. Jeremy is alot of things..serious but fun, hardworking and a perfectionist (he writes with a ruler hehehe), patient and loving, and so much more. He is an outstanding husband, and and even better father. He doesn't have to teach the boys to get me flowers, he doesn't have to let Claire pick out jewelry for me at Claire's Boutique at the mall, and he certainly doesn't have to tell the kids stories about my mom that are followed by 100 questions....but he does. For all of these reasons, plus a million more, I know that I am so blessed that God gave him to me. Marriage is definitely work...but there is nothing I would rather work at than my family- being a good wife and a good mom. I pray that we set a good example of a strong marriage for our children, the way that our parents did/do, and that someday our children are blessed in the same way that we have been. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves of my life<br /><br /></td></tr>
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For this post, I thought I would share my mom's fruit pizza recipe. I make it every single year for the Fourth of July and sometimes again for our anniversary. Jeremy loves it, as does everyone that tries it! It is time consuming but soooo worth it! This is a picture of the finished product last week...I need to get better about taking step-by-step photos!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Mom's Fruit Pizza</u></b></span></div>
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For the crust:</div>
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1 cup powdered sugar</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1 cup canola oil</div>
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1 cup margarine or butter</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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1 tsp. vanilla</div>
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4 cups plus 4 tablespoons flour</div>
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1 tsp. baking soda</div>
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1 tsp. salt</div>
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Mix sugars, oil, and butter. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together, then add gradually to butter mixture. Grease large jelly roll pan and press cookie dough down to desired thickness (I make mine about 1/4 inch thick). Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. You will have extra dough to make a smaller pizza too!</div>
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Then, mix:</div>
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8 oz. of cream cheese </div>
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Spread evenly over cooled cookie crust.</div>
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Next, cut up a variety of fruit and arrange on the cream cheese mixture...I always use strawberries halved, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, grapes, etc. I have used peaches, blackberries and more. </div>
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Finally, on the stove, mix together:</div>
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1/2 cup pineapple juice</div>
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1/4 cup sugar</div>
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1 tablespoon of cornstarch</div>
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1/2 tsp. lemon juice</div>
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Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Cool and then brush over the fruit. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-62645950179758247552015-06-30T13:27:00.000-07:002015-06-30T13:27:40.952-07:00#102. Love Your In-Laws<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided to write on this item in the journal for a special occasion- my mother in law's birthday. Now, if you know my mother in law, you know how wonderful she is. If you don't know her, you will hopefully understand how lucky I am to have her by the end of this post. Her name is Teresa, and she is extremely hard working, loyal beyond belief, and loves her family fiercely. She is extremely sentimental (which is not helping my tendencies to want to hold on to every piece of baby clothing of my kids) and stronger than she knows. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLjR7zLiAJ59z1TnW2fjGX_yQJSl1NyS62Dvi7T1rJsA0ErWgQa3G00l_89pFi3Lz60Upn0_pVvK4o7794slyV4ChGu3v3mxv1U8i7nB9KdTVT46WuY1IFlEvROOrjYUggQ-leLNL0h4/s640/blogger-image--257361231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLjR7zLiAJ59z1TnW2fjGX_yQJSl1NyS62Dvi7T1rJsA0ErWgQa3G00l_89pFi3Lz60Upn0_pVvK4o7794slyV4ChGu3v3mxv1U8i7nB9KdTVT46WuY1IFlEvROOrjYUggQ-leLNL0h4/s640/blogger-image--257361231.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana's favorite 3 people!</td></tr>
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I think it is really special that my mom chose life lessons like this to put in my journal. She knew how much I would need them once she was gone. In-laws can be a complicated thing for many people. Everyone is different, everyone has different beliefs, methods of raising children, goals in life, and personalities. For some, this can cause a great deal of strife. I have been extremely blessed in the in-law department. I knew this before my mom passed away, but once she was gone and I had children of my own, the appreciation grew to a whole new level</div>
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My mother-in-law has been so good to me from the time Jeremy and I were dating. I remember people telling me that she must really like me because she would try to get rid of girls that her boys dated that she didn't like! Ha! I knew I was in good when during our freshman year of college, I was hospitalized with ruptured ovarian cysts- she and my mom drove 4 hours during the night to be with me when Jeremy called them, then stayed the weekend in a hotel together with me to make sure I was ok.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken the night I went into labor with Luke!</td></tr>
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Then there was the incident my sophomore year- Jeremy had his parent's car at college for a few weeks, and he had let me borrow it to take friends to dinner for a girls night. I ended up hitting a large, LARGE deer (buck- with lots of antlers) with their car- totaling it. Whoops! I was terrified they would make him break up with me! Instead, they drove down to make sure I was ok and to deal with the car drama. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana's boys! Look how little Luke was!</td></tr>
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Fast forward several years- my mom was diagnosed during our senior year. I remember going to Jeremy's house to tell him (over our Thanksgiving break) and his mom sat and just held me and cried with me. She was there for everything- she and my mom got along so, so, so well. The bond they had once she was sick was nothing short of amazing. I know they had long, long talks about many things once she was gravely ill. I know that they talked about future grandchildren, mine and Jeremy's future, and more. I know that Teresa promised her to take care of me and my future babies. I know that she promised to help keep her memory alive- which she has done so well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqOb4w4mhBFpBdMBmwwdARjCryf45r0EBw1XADcyxK2DdYD1uWCi5jDAsI4-bLKSC6CpLEWpHeKhNZwKTJIoDMe-LzzRfFgELhqSzpm0QSUSoDO-dzsxGO3OiGxKI4hyphenhyphenuuuhpbHw5e9w/s640/blogger-image-1421022635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqOb4w4mhBFpBdMBmwwdARjCryf45r0EBw1XADcyxK2DdYD1uWCi5jDAsI4-bLKSC6CpLEWpHeKhNZwKTJIoDMe-LzzRfFgELhqSzpm0QSUSoDO-dzsxGO3OiGxKI4hyphenhyphenuuuhpbHw5e9w/s640/blogger-image-1421022635.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging at the beach with Nana and Papa!</td></tr>
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Teresa took days off of work to take her to chemo and sit with her, she talked her into getting a puppy (my mom's <i>first ever pet of her LIFE</i>) a year before she died because she knew how much joy it would bring her- and she was right. She even began to pay closer attention to her own health knowing that she was going to be so needed as a mom and grandma in the future. </div>
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Since my mom passed away, Teresa has grown to be not only my mother-in-law, but a fabulous Nana, and a very close friend to me. We talk almost every single day. Besides my best girlfriends, she is who I call when I need to talk, she is who I can vent to about anything and everything. She is one of the very first people I ran the idea of this blog by- and she has been one of the strongest supporters. She is strong and honest, loyal and loving. She stays on me about things that I need to take care of, such as dealing with upcoming preventative surgeries for myself. She tells me when I need to quit worrying about things. She loves me at my best and at my worst. She makes special time for us, whether it is on vacation or shopping before Christmas. She knows that I need "mother/daughter" things once in awhile, and she always comes through. She always, ALWAYS knows what to do or say. On some of my toughest days since my mom's death, she has done things like surprised me with planting a hydrangea here at my house- one of my mom's absolute favorites. </div>
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When it comes to being a Nana, she has been amazing since day 1. When I was pregnant with Brady, she would come to my appointments with us because she was so excited. She threw a huge baby shower for me and decorated it with quilts that my mom had made in advance for future grandbabies. She had me convinced that if Brady was a girl, he had to be named after my mom. When Brady spent a week in the NICU, she slept in the folding chair next to his incubator several nights so that I could sleep and recover from my c-section. We moved in with my in-laws for the first 4 weeks of his life because I was so scared to be alone with him while he was on an apnea monitor and had breathing issues. She went to breastfeeding classes with me and doctor's appointments with us. She was in the room when Luke and Claire were born, obsessing about how much hair they would have. She did it all, both because she wanted to, and knowing that she was doing what my mom wanted her to do.</div>
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Now that we have 3 beautiful babies, she is a very busy, loving Nana. My kids adore her. She is such a kid with them- she jumps in the pool with them, goes down slides with them, plays baseball with them, and plays card game after card game with them. My friend's kids love her almost as much as my own kids- they actually call her Nana and/or Hanna because that is what one little friend thought her name was when he was a toddler!). She invites my friend's children to her house to swim all summer with open arms, and stocks her freezer full of popsicles and ice cream for them all. They love going to her house and having her make up stories about witches and skeletons! I constantly hear my friends saying how lucky I am to have the in-laws that I do, and I know it. I think that Teresa is just as appreciative of our family because she knows that my mom would give anything to be here with us, and that she is blessed to be able to share our lives with us. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the kids who hang at Nana's pool and love her! <br />Check out Claire's face- she wasn't feeling it.</td></tr>
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It is no wonder Jeremy turned out the way he did- he was raised by such loving and loyal parents, who continue to support us in all that we do. Teresa does not like alot of attention and definitely does not want recognition...however I felt that this post coincided so perfectly with what my mom told me to do. I do love and appreciate my in-laws, and I know what a gift from above they are. I like to think that God has everything planned out so far in advance, he knew I needed them in my life to help with the loss of my mom. He knew my children deserved several amazing grandparents (in addition to my sweet dad and stepmom). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's preschool graduation!</td></tr>
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I often times look at my two boys and talk to my mother-in-law about how things were with her two boys when they were younger. I know that she hoped and prayed for them to grow into strong, smart, and loving men like they have. I know that she appreciates the relationship that we have and the closeness she still has with Jeremy. I find myself praying for my future daughter-in-laws (and dear LORD, for my future son-in-law...that poor soul! Claire is a challenge! Ha!)</div>
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I have read several posts online about praying for my future daughter-in-laws, and I have tried to follow these and adapt them to my own.</div>
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<li> I pray that they have mothers like mine, that instill in them the importance of love and respect. </li>
<li> I pray that they learn to be strong and independent, humble and classy. </li>
<li> I pray that they will stand by my boys through thick and thin, and help them weather any storms that come their way together. </li>
<li> I pray that they will be good mothers and help my boys to become good fathers. </li>
<li> I pray that they will support my boys and to push them to always work extremely hard, but to know that family comes first and that time can't be replaced. </li>
<li> I pray that they will take good care of my boys. ( I know, I am old-fashioned...but I like cooking and cleaning for my husband and children) </li>
<li> I pray that they will respect and honor family traditions and start some of their own. </li>
<li> I pray that they will love them at their best and at their worst. </li>
<li> I pray that they will have a deep love of God and instill this in my grandchildren.</li>
<li>I pray that they will have the same kind of loving relationship with us that I do with my own in-laws.</li>
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So Teresa, because I know you are reading this, I hope that your <strike>59th </strike> 29th birthday and year are as special as you. I am so grateful for you and how you bless our lives everyday!</div>
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For this post's recipe, I thought I would share one of the things that Teresa makes that my kids absolutely love- her Special K bars! These are simple, delicious, and great to take anywhere!</div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nana's Special K Bars</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">6 cups Special K cereal</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">1 cup light corn syrup</span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">1 cup sugar</span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">1 1/2 cups peanut butter</span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips</span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">2 cups butterscotch chips</span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">1 teaspoon vanilla </span><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;"> Grease a 9x13 inch pan. </span><br />
Grease a mixing bowl and pour the cereal in.<br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;"> In a pan on the stove, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Stir over medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Immediately pour peanut butter mixture over cereal and mix well. Then pour into the 9x13 pan.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;">In a microwaveable bowl, combine the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Microwave for about 25 seconds at a time, stirring well after each increment. Once chips are completely melted, pour over the cereal bars and cool completely. Enjoy!</span><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-52570084998846273202015-06-24T17:21:00.001-07:002015-06-24T17:24:32.378-07:00The Most Challenging and Rewarding Job<div style="text-align: center;">
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#<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>22. The most challenging and rewarding job in your life will be being a mother.</i></b></span><br />
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I was originally intending on posting on this journal item for Mother's Day, but ironically enough, being a mother has had me so insanely busy lately that I did not have time to finish the post. Between the end of the school year, baseball games every night for the boys, getting ready for vacation, etc, I couldn't keep my head on straight and had to focus on my crew. Hence, this is a much, much belated Mother's Day post but is extremely applicable to every.single.second of every day. There are so, so many times when I wish I had my mom here on a day to day basis, and most of them revolve around needing her advice for the challenging parts of parenting, and wishing she was here to celebrate the rewarding parts with me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My crew on Mother's Day</td></tr>
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Let me begin with the first half of this statement- being a mother will be the most challenging job...Ummmm yes. Without a shadow of a doubt. Definitely. Some days are way more challenging than others, but being a mother of young children is not an easy task no matter what day it is. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet as she looks, she can be quite the challenge!</td></tr>
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From the time I wake up each day to the time I go to bed and even several times in between (Claire does not believe in sleeping through the night), I am needed. "Mom, where are my shoes? Mommy, Brady pushed me! Mama, get me a pa-sicle (popsicle). Mom, get me a snack. Mommy, where is my hat? Mama, get me my mimis (blankies)!" and on and on and on and on. This can obviously be an incredible challenge while trying to get myself ready for work, out the door, get dinner ready, get the house cleaned, etc. The challenge gets taken to a whole new level when my boys are fighting- which is a frequent occurance. I then become a referee and police officer. These are challenges that every parent faces every single day, no matter if we are tired, sick, etc. There are definitely days when bedtime is the best time of day- just for the peace and quiet that comes with it! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is constant...crazy brothers!</td></tr>
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The challenge continues to rise when a child is sick, sad, or hurt. These are the times when I REALLLLY miss my mom. I miss her all the time, but when I need advice or help, I just ache for her to be here to tell me what to do or that things will be ok. I was thrown into the challenge of parenthood from the get-go with Brady being very sick as a preemie. We got through that, through the challenges of having newborns, nursing, lack of sleep, and more. We passed the challenges adjusting from one to two to three children. Sure, there are plenty of websites and books and magazines out there to give advice, but nothing quite helps like having your own mom there to lead you on the right path. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball ate up our month of May this year! Love seeing these two have fun together!</td></tr>
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I was naive when I first had children to think that parenting is the toughest when they are tiny little people. Boy was I wrong! My children are not that old yet at all, but I am already starting to see what my mom meant as far as challenges after the baby stage. There are no step-by-step guidebooks written on how to deal with hurt feelings, making good choices, self-esteem, confidence, friendships, study habits, sportsmanship, and more. I now know that it will continue to get tougher and tougher as my children grow and pray that I can always guide them in the right direction. I know that I drove my mom insane at times (especially during my teenage years) and that I challenged her like crazy. She was always firm, always tough, but always very open and loving. I hope that I can be the same for my kids during the most challenging of times- easy to talk to and loving, while sticking to my guns. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild woman wearing a dress made out of material from my Mom's quilting material stash</td></tr>
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The second part of the quote is that it is the most rewarding job in the world...this goes without saying. There is no job in the world, no job worth any amount of money, that could ever be as rewarding as being a mother. There were the rewarding "firsts" that we all experience- first words, first steps, first smiles, getting potty trained, first day of preschool, and more. Those are all extremely proud mama moments, but as I thought about what I wanted to write about, my mind went to even more meaningful and rewarding moments...ones that aren't just a step in life, but ones that have taken thought and prayer. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a proud parenting moment during May - Brady's First Communion</td></tr>
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I, like all mothers, want my children to be smart and kind, to get good grades, etc. However, some of the most rewarding moments I can recall thus far as a mom don't involve grades or points scored in a basketball game. They don't include how quickly my kids were potty trained or when they slept through the night. What they do include are things my children have said or done that show me they have really taken something we've talked about to heart and learned from it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another proud parenting moment- Luke's Preschool Graduation!</td></tr>
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An example of a rewarding time that comes to mind was last year when Brady and I were talking about my mom. He asked me how old Grammy is...and I told him that if she was alive, she would be 58. He looked at me puzzled, and said "Mom, she IS alive. She's just alive in Heaven!" How rewarding to know that we have done our job in teaching our little boy about Heaven, and about his Grammy! How rewarding for him to snap me out of a sad funk I get in once in awhile about missing my mom and remind me that she IS alive, and that one day I will see her again!</div>
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Another example of an extremely rewarding time as a mother took place right before Mother's Day this year. My little Luke woke up early on a Wednesday while I was in the kitchen packing lunches. We started chatting and he asked what was coming up on the weekend. I told him he had a birthday party to go to and it was almost Mother's Day. Out of nowhere, he asked me what I get my mom for Mother's Day. I quietly explained to him that I can't do anything for my mom except to send her prayers or talk to her since she is in Heaven. He looked at me with his sweet, five year old innocence and said, "Well why don't we send her a balloon?". My heart almost burst at that moment when I realized that this little boy understood enough of what we have told him about God and Heaven to come up with a perfect Mother's Day gift for his grammy. <br />
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My father-in-law just told me the other day that he was having a conversation with Luke and they saw some older people. Luke said to him "Papa, it's ok if you get old and die. We will be together forever in Heaven." I love that he internalizes and understands to the best of his 5-year-old knowledge that God has prepared an even better place for us to be together again, and that this is where my mom is waiting for us now. </div>
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Those are examples of just a few exceptionally memorable and rewarding parenting moments. However, I believe that every single day has so many unspoken rewarding moments...there is nothing quite like morning cuddles, rocking a baby, kisses/hugs hello and goodbye, watching my children interact and play, watching the boys take care of Claire, or watching them sleep. I'm sure I am not the only mom who stares at her babies when they are sleeping and at times am moved to near tears at the amount of satisfaction and love that bubble up inside! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two have separate rooms but want to sleep together ALL the time...even though they fight half the time!</td></tr>
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I thought alot about the challenges and rewards of being a mom on this recent Mother's Day and how they pertained to my own mama. How challenging it must have been to be a mom when she was so sick those last few years of her life...how difficult it must have been to continue to be a strong mother when her own health was crumbling. I would imagine if she was here today she would say that some of her most challenging parenting moments came during those last few years. Her motherly instinct seemed kicked into overdrive as she rapidly prepared us for life without her. She rose to the challenge of making sure my oldest brother and I both had beautiful weddings, that my youngest brother would graduate college, that my Dad would know what to do with himself and where to turn, and that we all had our faith in place to lead us down life's paths. When I think about these challenges that she faced, the day to day challenges that I face as a mother seem incredibly petty. When I get irritated by my boys <i><b>constantly</b></i> fighting or by Claire having a shrill 2-year old fit, I think about how blessed I am to have these challenges, and how my mom would give anything to have had time to have more challenges here on Earth. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are such good boys but definitely challenge my patience on a daily basis!</td></tr>
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There were rewards for my mom towards the end, I am sure of it. I know this from things that she said and things she wrote in my journal. I know it was rewarding for her to know that she instilled such a strong faith in myself and my brothers. I know that it was rewarding to see us band together in support of her and of each other. I know it was rewarding for her to see how strong we tried to be during her sickness, how positive we always were in front of her. I know it was rewarding for her to realize that nothing was more important to us than family and her, as we all took large amounts of time off of work and school to just lay with her, talk with her, be with her. I like to think that motherhood is still rewarding for her as she looks down at my brothers and I. We all have very happy marriages, she has 5 beautiful grandchildren, and we all try to honor her and keep her memory alive as much as possible.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My biggest blessings.</td></tr>
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I am sure that if my mom were here, she would say that the years she was a mom were the best years of her life. I know that I myself can say the same...I used to hear from so many people in high school and then again in college "This is the best time of your life, enjoy it!". <b><i>No way. Not a chance.</i></b> There is absolutely nothing more precious, more miraculous, more meaningful, than this time in my life. Having young children who want to be with me and play with me and cuddle me- giving and receiving unconditional love- there is nothing like it. I thank God every single day for the gift of being a mother...for both the challenges and the rewards. <i><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">I pray that my children always know that even when they are being a challenge, they are my greatest reward.</span></b> </i> I pray that years and years from now, when I look back at my life, I can have the same kind of peace that my mom did, knowing that I was a good enough mother, the mother that my children deserved, and that my final reward of being a mother will be the legacy of family, faith, and love that they carry on. <br />
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For this post, I decided to post one of my mom's favorite dishes, one that she made over and over and now I do the same...her strawberry pie. It is so simple and different than other pies in the sense that the crust is a shortbread crust. Try it, I guarantee you will love it!!!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Mom's Strawberry Pie</span></u></b><br />
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1 cup flour</div>
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1 stick butter or margarine (1/2 cup)</div>
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3 tablespoons powdered sugar</div>
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Mix these 3 ingredients together and pat in a 9 inch pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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3 tablespoons corn starch</div>
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1 cup of water</div>
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Mix these 3 ingredients together over low heat until it gets thick and begins to look clear. Remove from heat and add in 3 tablespoons of strawberry jello and stir. Let cool.</div>
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Clean and halve 3 cups strawberries. Mix berries with strawberry jello mixture and put into crust. Refrigerate and serve with whipped cream! Enjoy!</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-71305838071611395832015-04-28T18:12:00.001-07:002015-04-28T18:12:36.034-07:00Courage Is Not Optional<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Courage is not optional. Courage is not the absence of fear, but proceeding in the face of it.</i></b></span></div>
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This is without a doubt one of my favorite things in this journal, one that I turn to time and time again. Courage is such a hard trait to have at times, but one that we should always possess and use. </div>
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Fear is something that paralyzes so many people from various things- pursuing what they really want in life, fighting for someone or something that they need or deserve, even the fear of a sickness or disease. Before I read this quote years ago, I believed that courage truly was the absence of fear. People that were courageous to me were fearless, and were so strong and brave. Witnessing my mom's battle and this quote coming to life were proof that courage is in fact not the absence of fear. It is moving forward, fighting the fear head on with everything in your heart and soul. </div>
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I chose to write about this quote this week because I have received several questions/emails about what exactly happened to my sweet mom. With Mother's Day closing in on us, I thought that this would be an appropriate time to answer these questions and pay tribute to the lesson that she taught that we can all learn from- proceeding in the face of fear, no matter what that fear may be.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family at my Mom's surprise 50th birthday party- just 6 months before she left this Earth.</td></tr>
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It was a chilly November evening- Thanksgiving Eve, and I had just gotten home from college for Thanksgiving break of my senior year. I can still picture the Abercrombie khakis and Gap blue sweater I had on. Jeremy's parents had picked us up and drove us the four hour jaunt home. No sooner did I get in the door, and my parents summoned me to the family room. I immediately knew something was wrong. My mom very calmly explained to me that she had found a lump in her armpit while shaving in the bathtub the previous week. She had just had a routine mammogram 2 weeks prior that was NORMAL. (complete side note- don't just rely on tests, trust your instincts and know your own body.) My mom was a nurse and a nursing instructor at a local small college, so she knew what to do immediately. She called her doctor and had the lump aspirated, as well as an MRI of her breast 2 days later. The results had come back that it was a very invasive form of breast cancer. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was labeled on the back as "first day of chemo".</td></tr>
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I remember sinking into the couch and thinking it was a bad dream. She went on that it was obviously already in her lymph nodes and that she would be having surgery on the day after Thanksgiving to remove all of the lymph nodes and the miniscule lump in her breast that was found through the MRI. She told me that the type of cancer was pretty rare and not very responsive to treatment. The doctors had given her 5 years maximum to live. Then my mom said something that has stuck with me all of these years, something that perfectly sums up her attitude throughout her entire sickness. She said "Andy (my nickname in my immediate family), listen- I can either curl up in a hole and die, or I can fight like hell...what do you think I am going to do?" </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My college graduation from Miami- she almost couldn't come because<br />
of low white blood cell counts.</td></tr>
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From that moment forward, my mom plowed straight into the valley of fear with a barrel of courage. She had surgery 2 days later and immediately started a hard-core regimen of chemo and radiation. Her hair was gone by Christmas. I know she was scared- she kept many, many personal journals throughout her ordeal and I often would sneak a peek at them to see what was going on with her. She wouldn't always tell me every detail because she didn't want to worry me, especially when I just had one semester of college left to finish up. I know that she worried tremendously about what would happen to my dad, my brothers, her mom, and myself. I know that she was scared of the treatments- but she proceeded. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After one of many rounds of chemo at my older brother's wedding</td></tr>
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She was declared in remission shortly after my college graduation in May, but was warned that it would be back. She continued to face her fear head on. She did whatever she possibly could to avoid having the evil disease come back- she worked out everyday. She ate an extremely healthy diet- I specifically recall driving all over God's green earth with her to find broccoli sprouts and some sort of shark oil- they were said to have major cancer-fighting agents in them. But still it came back. Again and again and again. In her neck, in her chest, it wouldn't go away. We would hold our breath every time she went for body scans and blood work. She went everywhere from her amazing local oncologist to Cleveland Clinic to James Cancer Center in Columbus to a trial at Sloan-Kettering in New York to John Hopkins in Baltimore. She just saw no other option other than to proceed. Was she scared? Of course. But to her, courage was NOT optional. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the midst of it all, she always helped others-<br />
here she is in my first grade classroom teaching my<br />
students to make chocolate covered pretzels.</td></tr>
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Once it became apparent in early 2006 that the end would be coming soon, her courage continued to grow. I literally make myself sick at times thinking about what must have been going through her head during these months...months when treatment ceased, months when she was in so much pain. She knew that she was going to be leaving us, and still she had courage. Courage to look at death straight in the face and say "It's ok." Courage to write us guides for how to live our lives. Courage to proceed into the unknown with so much faith, so much peace. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2005- her last one</td></tr>
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I remember sooo many times during those final couple of months when I would hang out at my parents' house and lay in bed with my mom. We would watch some HGTV, some food network, and talk. I remember so clearly asking her if she was scared...and she always said the same thing. She was not scared to die. She was not scared of where she would be going. Her faith was SO strong, so huge, she knew it would be ok. She <i>was</i> scared of leaving us. Like any mother, she was scared of who would take care of us, who would fulfill her role and duties. She found the courage to leave us journals, baby blankets, Christening blankets, and so much more. She fought through her fears, fears that would paralyze some, and kept giving everything she could to the end. </div>
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Something else that stands out in my mind, something that is so hard for me to wrap my head around, is that she was NEVER angry. Never. Sometimes we see people that have such large fears that they become angry and bitter because of them. My mom had so much faith in God's plan and so much peace in her heart that she was never, ever angry. Was she sad at times? Yes. I think seeing her angry would have been easier to deal with than seeing her sad. She didn't show it often, but the times that I saw her sad about leaving us were pretty unbearble. When I think back to it, being sad a few times in front of me was just part of her having courage. Courage to be honest, open, and real. Courage to love as only a mother can love. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was supposed to be on "house arrest" because of low white blood cell<br />
count during my wedding shower, but she set it all up, made much of the food,<br />
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Now, there are many, many things in the book she left me, as well as her own journals, that make it very apparent that her faith in God was her backbone. She could not have ever proceeded the way that she did without her faith and trust in God. Ultimately, it was God who gave her this courage that she displayed everyday. It was prayer that led her along the path of fear she faced.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Since having children of my own, I face constant fears. I am a worrier by nature, and as a mother, I constantly fear for my children's health, safety, and happiness. I fear for my own health, as I could potentially face what my own mom did. I repeat this quote to myself at least 10 times a day- courage is not the absence of fear! It is proceeding in the face of it. I have been taking steps towards some drastic preventative measures to avoid dealing with the awful disease that took my mom all too soon- and I am extremely fearful of doing so. But I find courage in my mom's words, knowing that it is ok to be scared, as long as that fear doesn't hold me back from moving forward. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I pray that I can teach these three about being courageous no matter what.</td></tr>
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When my mom sat down to write this part of the journal, I don't necessarily think that she was centering it around her courage of facing cancer head on. I think she simply wanted me to know that no matter what I face, <i><b>no matter what scares me or causes me to fill with fear, I must never allow it to stop me from my end goal.</b></i> It is ok to be scared, it is human and natural. But we must never, ever give up because of fear. Whether that fear is failure, embarrassment, pain, heartache, or more, we must proceed. Then, if when all is said and done, we still end up with the failure, pain, embarrassment, or heartache, we are still left with something- knowledge that we had courage to fight. Pride that fear didn't stop us from trying, and pride that we pushed on and gave it our best shot. I pray that I can instill this in my own children, even as children. I don't ever want fear to hold them back from anything (unless it is something like skydiving or swimming with sharks). I want them to know that it is ok to be scared, but to always be courageous. </div>
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As my mom said to me on that Thanksgiving eve so many years ago, she was going to fight like hell. That she did. Full of faith, hope, and courage. And that is a lesson that I will never forget.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This magnet hung on my parents refrigerator for years and now hangs on mine. :)</td></tr>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-73662569624801703552015-04-17T13:04:00.000-07:002015-04-17T13:04:49.685-07:00#13- My Priorities<div style="text-align: center;">
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<em><strong>Make your husband and children your priority. They will remember the time that you spend with them, not what you spend on them.</strong></em><br />
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This statement constantly plays over and over in my head. In today's world, we are continually pulled in a million different directions each day. Everyone, everywhere, is on the go go go. There never seems to be enough hours in a day. I know that I, as a working mama of 3, feel that I cannot keep up with my never-ending to-do list. I am forever trying to multi-task: cooking dinner while folding laundry while helping Brady with homework while unpacking lunchboxes while responding to texts/emails while getting Luke a snack while playing princesses with Claire....the list can go on and on. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love, love, love making sweet memories with my babies!</td></tr>
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There are times when I think about my mom and know what she would say to me in certain situations. When it comes to the above quote, I am pretty sure she would say that I don't always do my best at this. While I strive to live as she taught me to and as God wants me to, I definitely teeter on failure at times of something that sounds so basic. Hopefully writing about it will help to hold me more accountable for this. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking/Baking with my kids is one of my most favorite things to do!!!</td></tr>
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I interpret this quote into so many different aspects of my life, and following are just a few.</div>
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I think that today's society plays a pivotal role in how different this quote would have been when I was growing up. Nowadays it seems as though there are endless activities for my children to be involved in, as well as limitless distractions for everyone- many of which involve technology. I am the first to admit that technology is one of my biggest downfalls...my iPhone to be exact. I am not often without my phone, even when playing with my kids. It is almost like it is part of my everyday outfit to have it in my pocket. I don't like to be without it even when with my kids because I am so afraid of missing a cute photo opportunity...I need to start focusing more on actually being PRESENT with them rather than just being physically there. Of course, having pictures on my cell phone is nice, but if I am focusing so much on getting the perfect picture or checking email, then what good is it if I can't recall the actual memory we could have been making while I was preoccupied with my phone!? This is definitely something I am working on every day- putting the phone away until our kids go to bed each night, not getting up every time I hear my phone ring, etc. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bucket and hose and no shirts = loads of fun and memories!</td></tr>
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I think that today's society also affects this quote because of how careers have changed. I, like many busy moms, enjoy my career. I love helping kids learn to read, I love watching them go from writing a few words to several complete sentences. Today's teaching fields have changed, as have many professional fields. There is constant stress involved with my job- constant trainings, conferences, continuing education, evaluations, state assessments, etc. I often times stress about it at home, bring home loads of work, and can easily spend hours on the computer looking up ideas and doing plans. However, I have had to make a very conscious effort to not let my job become my priority. My priorities without a doubt above all are my 3 children and Jeremy. I am trying very hard to accept that I don't have to be the perfect teacher, the perfect housekeeper/cook/mother/wife, I just need to give them my time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIOeo9xd8Mu3vdad3T7HaZU58eOEusDHGvKly5mwcbFHJ7IGMM6hZ8pN6LVMRk4JoGMb-P3vsGVAgIeTcgWbTViDYmNNwXygG1k3AliwBSCcMQLbzf3TB_sftyqhyphenhyphen-PuNpaPYb4zPwoE/s640/blogger-image--1358894542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIOeo9xd8Mu3vdad3T7HaZU58eOEusDHGvKly5mwcbFHJ7IGMM6hZ8pN6LVMRk4JoGMb-P3vsGVAgIeTcgWbTViDYmNNwXygG1k3AliwBSCcMQLbzf3TB_sftyqhyphenhyphen-PuNpaPYb4zPwoE/s640/blogger-image--1358894542.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple things make for the best memories.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDY8rMYdFkYiCXtxV75ek3BfBid6ocPoIUnEaZwcY2MzyMbctxdHV63D2hWcgnfzcfC63EYVFo28E4-V9aRbhGAXYegIXk0xi5cHAtlsi9jIB7hz6_DQRFFHcLby2JR2i9MbJS0XLKKA/s640/blogger-image-817501353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDY8rMYdFkYiCXtxV75ek3BfBid6ocPoIUnEaZwcY2MzyMbctxdHV63D2hWcgnfzcfC63EYVFo28E4-V9aRbhGAXYegIXk0xi5cHAtlsi9jIB7hz6_DQRFFHcLby2JR2i9MbJS0XLKKA/s640/blogger-image-817501353.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundays are always fundays with these three!</td></tr>
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Another aspect of this quote, the most important part, is that my children will remember the TIME I spend with them, not what I spend on them. I like to surprise the boys with a new pair of Under Armour socks or pick up a random set of junk jewelry for Claire, but is that what they will remember days, weeks, months from now? I love to play ball with my boys and princesses with Claire. I love reading them books and playing board games with them. I especially love cooking with them. I have never heard one of my boys say "Hey mom, remember when you got me that sweet shirt or those awesome socks?" However, I Have heard them say "Remember that night we camped out in the living room?", or "remember the night we read 16 books in a row?" My kids especially love when we go on vacations or weekend trips- not necessarily because of the fun things we do or places we go, but because they think it is the coolest thing in the world to be stuck in a condo or hotel room all together! They most definitely will remember the time I spend with them, not what I ever spend on them. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmajrTeZpRE6UnmvWMb1NSh5a2cdttN3SXoUkVlbY5JS44XGIlTI4qKMpIHTKUDfXxDnhoEh7KyMFs9kZO2NnVhKVUArm9UXTw7_qmcDJc5UqmP282ExdLGWI_I2rq98ede4JjLFLNIK0/s640/blogger-image--973660284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmajrTeZpRE6UnmvWMb1NSh5a2cdttN3SXoUkVlbY5JS44XGIlTI4qKMpIHTKUDfXxDnhoEh7KyMFs9kZO2NnVhKVUArm9UXTw7_qmcDJc5UqmP282ExdLGWI_I2rq98ede4JjLFLNIK0/s640/blogger-image--973660284.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best things in the world...rocking my babies. </td></tr>
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I think this statement can definitely be flip-flopped as well.<em><strong> I</strong></em> will remember the time I spend with my kids, being truly present with them, as opposed to the hours I spend on Amazon looking for cool Christmas or birthday gifts for them. <strong><em>I </em></strong>will remember the sparkle in their eyes as we made reindeer food or muffins or cookies. <em><strong>I</strong></em> will remember the giggles as we have battles with the hose and squirt guns. <strong><em>I</em></strong> will even remember and cherish the long (and sometimes torturous) car rides to the beach or whatever vacations we go on because they mean uninterrupted time with my babies. <strong><em> I</em></strong> will remember rocking Claire to sleep even though I have a gazillion other things to do, and <strong><em>I</em></strong> will remember getting up with her 34602 times a night to have full conversations about Elsa and Anna. <strong><em>I</em></strong> will remember the nights when the boys talked me into just ONE more story, even though it was already past their bedtime.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pleeeeease Mommy, just 5 more minutes of this movie!???"</td></tr>
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Something I am pretty sure of: I WON'T remember what nights I got everything on my to-do list completed. I won't remember nights where the kids are in bed early and I had time to spend doing schoolwork or on the computer. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtKaCIRYWqgpIqQ46TocdhIEUtUfrNnS6fMIvLdCGwgdGv29NdFUdyc2zUgZIGWBgaYPH3jtzvQr7dcb8bDYGpOqPJx4f3kRmMbtjbq81ZYChyYZawvNul6sBSn-ApHfTjypVxAFo7AI/s640/blogger-image-942664280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtKaCIRYWqgpIqQ46TocdhIEUtUfrNnS6fMIvLdCGwgdGv29NdFUdyc2zUgZIGWBgaYPH3jtzvQr7dcb8bDYGpOqPJx4f3kRmMbtjbq81ZYChyYZawvNul6sBSn-ApHfTjypVxAFo7AI/s640/blogger-image-942664280.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that my brothers and I always lined up on the couch the way my kids do now. Sorry to my big brother Chris for <br />
posting a picture of him holding a Cabbage Patch Kid! hehehe!</td></tr>
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When I think back to my childhood, I have SO many memories of cooking with my mom, having family game nights, watching TGIF with my family every Friday with a big bowl of popcorn (sidenote- there will never be a lineup as great as Full House and the rest of TGIF). None of my memories of my childhood have anything to do with my parents taking me shopping for or giving me "things".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-2H-7oBjYaxwgZWXPBJ6c3mXo9Qunfolw1yfc_7oDzqDVuAIqIQzChMk85fMCubYhyphenhyphenlWiOAeGCaNGBrB3FVeFnLhdy5fZgXg4AKB5B2UqpUlCeI-pr4SzTvUcqRMd7tlQ1P1NNosFBs/s640/blogger-image--167625337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-2H-7oBjYaxwgZWXPBJ6c3mXo9Qunfolw1yfc_7oDzqDVuAIqIQzChMk85fMCubYhyphenhyphenlWiOAeGCaNGBrB3FVeFnLhdy5fZgXg4AKB5B2UqpUlCeI-pr4SzTvUcqRMd7tlQ1P1NNosFBs/s640/blogger-image--167625337.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of my childhood memories involve simple things like feeding the ducks at the marina.</td></tr>
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It is one of my sole responsibilities to help shape my children's memories- so I need to make it my priority to make them good ones. Claire, at the young age of 2, gets so excited when the 5 of us do something together. She will say "it's our whole samily (family)!" My boys love, love when we are all home in the evening without any practices or meetings and we can all eat dinner then play a game or have a movie night together. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ1mBpY7GgZTdLu_wseUpIQlT_h4X7KyqbRk0G17yoOh_C05wXPo9d60zikqPs8SWUvrAAYGI9lHm_VlmVu29i2WreWe_skNC8TjqFMrxREPWojZHS2OFi_MZj95zxqo-FE5beGCaYLY/s640/blogger-image--1848160359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ1mBpY7GgZTdLu_wseUpIQlT_h4X7KyqbRk0G17yoOh_C05wXPo9d60zikqPs8SWUvrAAYGI9lHm_VlmVu29i2WreWe_skNC8TjqFMrxREPWojZHS2OFi_MZj95zxqo-FE5beGCaYLY/s640/blogger-image--1848160359.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing piano with my Mama</td></tr>
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My best friends and I obviously talk about our families constantly. Without a doubt, one of the biggest factors in why we are so bonded is that we have such a mutual understanding of this quote of my mom's with respect to each other. We are in very frequent communication with one another, but at times there may be days and weekends that go by where we don't talk or text, or when on vacation this can last for a week. This is an unspoken understanding that we have- while we love each other and love to chat, our families are our absolute priorities, especially while our children are so young.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6HCp7rUJvG9X7z0rpZrsxDOWrlOp-CqECbYlVKAIwu5W6Tj-7Cnq9ggJeTWQKlBOdQX5OMDfgvVkJQh5TzE6DKYdth4sZaOUAl65Sx1242L8nFrnGeumIBSm5gdmudcPC47UX3Dyg4Q/s640/blogger-image-149753579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6HCp7rUJvG9X7z0rpZrsxDOWrlOp-CqECbYlVKAIwu5W6Tj-7Cnq9ggJeTWQKlBOdQX5OMDfgvVkJQh5TzE6DKYdth4sZaOUAl65Sx1242L8nFrnGeumIBSm5gdmudcPC47UX3Dyg4Q/s640/blogger-image-149753579.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family vacations make for amazing memories :)</td></tr>
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When I think of my 25 years that I had my sweet mom, I am flooded with memories of things we did together...cooking, baking, walking, shopping, swimming, gardening, and so much more. None of the memories that come to mind when I think of her involve physical things, they involve activities that we did together. When I have my moments where my heart literally<em> aches</em> for her, it isn't because I want her to be here to buy me a new purse...it's to spend TIME with her, to talk with her.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr6-Fw7VD4o3rHFF0GINp9XWhkqOridSMDBv2qCeGZICkwo27BhzhhnfVrSGhx-mG-3WE__XCmtuQxyosQIjSEI4ZYPqPSBfcJnVb7MJktCEvP3RANdFjH4o58BmwUVkPeHFVUkelCNA/s640/blogger-image--228705056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr6-Fw7VD4o3rHFF0GINp9XWhkqOridSMDBv2qCeGZICkwo27BhzhhnfVrSGhx-mG-3WE__XCmtuQxyosQIjSEI4ZYPqPSBfcJnVb7MJktCEvP3RANdFjH4o58BmwUVkPeHFVUkelCNA/s640/blogger-image--228705056.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it crazy that I remember how it made me insane if my mom didn't get all of <br />
the "bumps" out of my hair when fixing it! Ha!</td></tr>
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If you take anything away from this blog post at all....if you have small children or grown children or no children at all- just spend TIME with those you love the most. Not time on your phones or time buying new things, just TIME. Time to really TALK and understand their minds and hearts and souls. Time to know what mark they want to make in this world. Time to learn from them, even if they are tiny children. Time is what they will remember. Make those you love the most- your children, your spouse- your priorities above all else. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8FfJfQJYaTReIoaf6d1bK_2FwgRzRhP0talyTEGGVaK99P_PqWQgALVWHrdsO8NCiYMvjZ-daGagqm4yAW5aZqGs2ifgpCd5e5AFj5hNjgJqpIOfabk07lbBZMYb5MRzlgl4fyQuPRw/s640/blogger-image--1485324975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8FfJfQJYaTReIoaf6d1bK_2FwgRzRhP0talyTEGGVaK99P_PqWQgALVWHrdsO8NCiYMvjZ-daGagqm4yAW5aZqGs2ifgpCd5e5AFj5hNjgJqpIOfabk07lbBZMYb5MRzlgl4fyQuPRw/s640/blogger-image--1485324975.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo of me baking was captioned "Making nut rolls with Mommy".</td></tr>
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I think that part of the reason my mom left this world with peace in her heart was not just because she was so full of faith. It was because she made my dad, my brothers and I her constant priority, even to the end. I think about when she must have been writing us our journals- late at night, after my dad was asleep, at her desk. She didn't feel good soo much of the time, but it was her priority to make sure we had a roadmap for the rest of life in the form of our journals. It was her priority to make sure we were ok.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xQ5elHAjBE4fpNU6x_6HnbZXbGfaBeS0RkzQIUSxMfFbcMXIsp6B9w-LroMPnCpNLQNtC4SvX2aoEVNJcFesbt0SLJrFAzPtQNBtclzKJb3bew-YQUDLjBbPyjrPBeQVP9WDJd9u66s/s640/blogger-image-1294906632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xQ5elHAjBE4fpNU6x_6HnbZXbGfaBeS0RkzQIUSxMfFbcMXIsp6B9w-LroMPnCpNLQNtC4SvX2aoEVNJcFesbt0SLJrFAzPtQNBtclzKJb3bew-YQUDLjBbPyjrPBeQVP9WDJd9u66s/s640/blogger-image-1294906632.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My # 1 priorites...always.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She had zero regrets, even in her short 50 years. She is my hero for a million and one reasons- for her faith in God, her perseverance, her courage, her grace, her unconditional love. If I had to pick one thing that I want to most want to emulate about my mom, it is the kind of wife and mom she was. I hope that Jeremy, Brady, Luke and Claire always feel that they are my priorities, that they come first. I hope that if something would happen to me at a young age like my mom that they recall the time I spent with them fondly and remember me as wanting to be with them above all else. </span></div>
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This may sound silly, but for some reason the song "I Could Not Ask For More" plays CONSTANTLY in my head- it started back when Brady was a baby and has continued to play in my head when I rocked Luke and still now Claire..it plays in my head when I watch them sleep, watch them out the window running and playing, etc. and it could not be more appropriate for this post. These are the lyrics I have sung to all 3 of them while rocking them over the years:</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive <br /> These are the moments I'll remember all my life <br /> I've got all I've waited for <br /> And I could not ask for more."</span></em></strong></div>
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I thought it would be appropriate to post a recipe that my kids and I love to make together, and one that my mom made with me all of the time!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins</u></span></strong></div>
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-3 cups shredded zucchini (we grown TONS in the summer and freeze it to use all year long)</div>
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-1 2/3 cups sugar</div>
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-2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil</div>
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-2 teaspoons vanilla</div>
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-4 eggs</div>
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-3 cups flour</div>
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-2 teaspoons baking soda</div>
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-1 teaspoon salt</div>
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-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div>
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-1/2 teaspoon baking powder</div>
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-1 cup chocolate chips or mini chips</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with papers. Mix all ingredients together, folding in chocolate chips last. Fill muffin tins halfway and bake for 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven and leave in pans for 5 min before transferring to wire racks. These can be stored at room temp in Ziploc bag or container, or stored in refrigerator or frozen! Enjoy! :)</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-29806658082515285742015-04-08T19:26:00.001-07:002015-04-08T21:03:27.473-07:00#103- Talking to God Daily- Give Thanks for All Good Things and People in Your Life<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong><em>Don't pray only when things are bad. Talk to God daily. Give thanks for all good things and people in your life. Pray for those less fortunate.</em></strong></div>
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I am the first to admit that I know I used to talk to God MUCH more when things were "bad". I would take my problems to Him constantly but fail to remember to thank Him for all of the good in my life. I would be so "busy" with life that I would only remember to spend time talking to Him at Mass on Sundays and when I had a problem. I remember when my mom was sick I had such a hard time praying about anything else at all except for Him to spare her life. I failed to thank Him for giving me the amazing mother that he did in the first place, along with a wonderful father, brothers, husband, friends, and extended family. As I have gotten older and had children of my own, I am reminded constantly how much good is in my life. I find myself so overcome by gratefulness and thankfulness at times that it overwhelms me- when I watch my kids sleep, when I see them with Jeremy or their grandparents, when a dear friend offers me unconditional love and support, and so many more times.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond thankful for these 3.</td></tr>
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Right after my mom passed away, I took a week off of work. I was at my parent's home every day and helped my dad clean out some things, write thank you notes, etc. I was in a very low place at this point and was trying SO hard to be positive for my dad, brothers, and grandmother. I thought I had to be superwoman and hold it together for everyone, but on the inside I was very bitter and sad. I remember barely even praying at that point. I was so sad and felt like God had taken my happiness, there was nothing left to ask for or to thank Him for. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go back to work- I didn't really want to do anything except be sad. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring eggs is such a fun Easter tradition- Claire was covered in dye!</td></tr>
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Then I went back to work...and my attitude quickly changed. Waiting for me on my desk was a prayer journal, flowers, and cards from the families of my students. Cards full of love and hope and uplifting messages that made me realize there was a reason I was there. Each day for 2 weeks there were more goodies each day to lift my spirits- Starbucks drinks, a cross bracelet, fun magazines, and more. Some of the amazing parents in that room had collected money from the families that could afford it to make my return more manageable. At that moment, facing those 17 little faces so proud of themselves, I knew I had SO much to still be thankful for. I just needed to wake up and realize it. That class helped me through the toughest time in my life- and I am forever grateful. They taught me that even in the toughest times, there is still so much to be thankful and grateful for, we just have to look around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrTXU4S6tYxfVQgKok-zE7973RHLIEhxOwrayAZFZQL8EUIFZLuiMY-2vcJqLcfybsLSkaeCz83qVVzAaA0-wFuaUSfwY6IXai6EdYDvYgcXAgPCVXJS31XBy2hqyPL1PKYduWor6hB4/s640/blogger-image-1866251580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrTXU4S6tYxfVQgKok-zE7973RHLIEhxOwrayAZFZQL8EUIFZLuiMY-2vcJqLcfybsLSkaeCz83qVVzAaA0-wFuaUSfwY6IXai6EdYDvYgcXAgPCVXJS31XBy2hqyPL1PKYduWor6hB4/s640/blogger-image-1866251580.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 3 guys :)</td></tr>
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In the past several years, I have tried to be much more conscientious of talking to God daily- not just when saying prayers at night in bed, but really thanking Him for my life and all that is in it. Each morning when I get up (I am always the first one up), I make myself a cup of coffee and sit down for a short while with a couple of devotionals (<u>Jesus Calling</u> is my favorite). I think about my upcoming day and thank God for everything that is about to happen in it. Since starting this little "tradition" in the mornings, I am so much more aware of the blessings surrounding me. Do I still pray to God when things are bad or I'm extra worried about something? Absolutely. But I make sure to thank him every day for my blessings- especially the three little ones in my house. I am very aware that there are so many people less fortunate, and I don't just mean financially. People dealing with illnesses, stress, unhappiness, loneliness, etc. I pray that these people can find some sort of peace and thankfulness in their lives, even amongst hard times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-9afLMxkZWM2yzMpH9Ewwsf8ZR6UmVzjUgSqBWqCros0gQGgQTYEqK2-yPchc5uC2SsOl1YlVlMHOo-vChaqf9RMMh8TfxfaqKPrFT2MYhiX8PwgWFuppMZB7hoKG1N3ZQKJgJQYX48/s640/blogger-image-1575700749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-9afLMxkZWM2yzMpH9Ewwsf8ZR6UmVzjUgSqBWqCros0gQGgQTYEqK2-yPchc5uC2SsOl1YlVlMHOo-vChaqf9RMMh8TfxfaqKPrFT2MYhiX8PwgWFuppMZB7hoKG1N3ZQKJgJQYX48/s640/blogger-image-1575700749.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire LOVED getting her face painted at the Easter Bunny breakfast!</td></tr>
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This Easter weekend was so full of things to be thankful for. Obviously Easter is a time of rejoicing and thankfulness for the Resurrection- Jesus died on the cross for US- so that we may live this life full of things to be thankful for. Every bit of our weekend emulated joy and for that I am so thankful! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5btXjxkBWY5gKzs2zHQM30ewrpXbUeZqBsBkZRdrANOzHMN0BMPqa4iJandp2I2rDapmktKGwpQov1imxu3PWXzhwEPblmLbRT4AijWdSufWeZenjn8R12kxAzBoc7Yrk-OLQn1ij14/s640/blogger-image-1990808403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5btXjxkBWY5gKzs2zHQM30ewrpXbUeZqBsBkZRdrANOzHMN0BMPqa4iJandp2I2rDapmktKGwpQov1imxu3PWXzhwEPblmLbRT4AijWdSufWeZenjn8R12kxAzBoc7Yrk-OLQn1ij14/s640/blogger-image-1990808403.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But she wasn't a fan of the bunny- thank goodness for protective older brothers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhJx95reRDHZMfV3J0S7XWkyK3j1uvdwA5qlS3MzOz86Otli2LTRLztYCTCIA9mhA6-NYqxTsf1k_VzjUtSy8pqsL4DDYQ9QwS59Vsb6tL0qksE2yczWNCkOnGprrcdaqTO9RJrMh2Lc/s640/blogger-image-1747827656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhJx95reRDHZMfV3J0S7XWkyK3j1uvdwA5qlS3MzOz86Otli2LTRLztYCTCIA9mhA6-NYqxTsf1k_VzjUtSy8pqsL4DDYQ9QwS59Vsb6tL0qksE2yczWNCkOnGprrcdaqTO9RJrMh2Lc/s640/blogger-image-1747827656.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving a snack for the bunny!</td></tr>
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The kids and I made Resurrection rolls on Friday- an idea that I had seen on Pinterest and several blogs. They turned out fantastic! It was soo cool to use something as simple as crescent rolls and marshmallows to reinforce the meaning of Easter to my kids. I followed the exact directions on The Larson Lingo blog, which included the verses to read during each step. (<a href="http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/2012/04/ressurection-rolls.htmlWe">http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/2012/04/ressurection-rolls.html</a> We made Easter cookies too- I am so thankful for time in the kitchen with my kids!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXuokraj1ARxM_k0U6HP9FkL5Rw14uun4j1zdOHltMQkaSzbbh-k-CMb2RKoPPrDYsDPOCcobHI3JBaQ4sMheZ7qWNwrSlwiZTcYHW9ETSZzzE7Y-SMnJh__h3X_6JUVEd_7pVhZuKu8/s640/blogger-image-1178250628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXuokraj1ARxM_k0U6HP9FkL5Rw14uun4j1zdOHltMQkaSzbbh-k-CMb2RKoPPrDYsDPOCcobHI3JBaQ4sMheZ7qWNwrSlwiZTcYHW9ETSZzzE7Y-SMnJh__h3X_6JUVEd_7pVhZuKu8/s640/blogger-image-1178250628.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resurrection rolls were such a fun, yummy, and meaningful breakfast on Good Friday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the oven!</td></tr>
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We went to a wonderful breakfast with the Easter Bunny with a lot of our friends and family- the kids had a ball! I am so grateful for friends that are family and that love my children like their own. My kids love hanging out with friends that are more like cousins- it is so fun watching them all grow up together! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg848bR4Awp-PnabSdSGiF2PU97BLUxnMt5F4JDt0aldHuaP8AL8hC8rL4_jruxbBCnCBgWZJntlO0AVyZmMJCV6OZ17ncTxPgHHKKkhGpKMayeJst7uR7fwpv42qO6cU0r9elvp24Yj5w/s640/blogger-image--538524426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg848bR4Awp-PnabSdSGiF2PU97BLUxnMt5F4JDt0aldHuaP8AL8hC8rL4_jruxbBCnCBgWZJntlO0AVyZmMJCV6OZ17ncTxPgHHKKkhGpKMayeJst7uR7fwpv42qO6cU0r9elvp24Yj5w/s640/blogger-image--538524426.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Friends become our chosen family"- these 9 have been together since birth!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JwNW0mhys5DdimjzVILn8m62wetSpXzfRE4nFvbn40GsodVCHbsm0u9q7qDPQxuXCXmzzhmTNXFb4C-GFH7ac4jT3QDBBtCH1cj-kRfBwV4ycaXfuR5CZvNM_PvUeZ0In-t6NP_GeSE/s640/blogger-image-1025161863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JwNW0mhys5DdimjzVILn8m62wetSpXzfRE4nFvbn40GsodVCHbsm0u9q7qDPQxuXCXmzzhmTNXFb4C-GFH7ac4jT3QDBBtCH1cj-kRfBwV4ycaXfuR5CZvNM_PvUeZ0In-t6NP_GeSE/s640/blogger-image-1025161863.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire and one of her sweet Godmothers, "Shell" at the Easter Bunny breakfast :)</td></tr>
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We had several egg hunts, spent time with Jeremy's family, my Dad and stepmom and family, and enjoyed some quiet time at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXnkGVrGmB6zsFvbuWU8eerpyICOG7br6Kz7em0z4tzn9nT8fmHrL3POBmK2Fqmq1nMZx1Rh3D_J3PeIm8K6ah-fHI9lLyvy1fsb4RlBypNIGIYX8LYVrstgCm5zNbxFixLGrbI-vGD8/s640/blogger-image-1667373638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXnkGVrGmB6zsFvbuWU8eerpyICOG7br6Kz7em0z4tzn9nT8fmHrL3POBmK2Fqmq1nMZx1Rh3D_J3PeIm8K6ah-fHI9lLyvy1fsb4RlBypNIGIYX8LYVrstgCm5zNbxFixLGrbI-vGD8/s640/blogger-image-1667373638.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful afternoon for an egg hunt at Pap and Deb's!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4eFJfoBoBUJmYsv2mZvoeFyoYHq3Qf3L_ukoqFtsum61c_7uWCLzYsGFI_Ii-mZZMsQaB_JBuRXpOd91KZN6QLQyX2wIPdJP4Rj-H8rMscLIC-Lp_bw2QFU4T6qPcMqCmeKLztc8uPw/s640/blogger-image-992946186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4eFJfoBoBUJmYsv2mZvoeFyoYHq3Qf3L_ukoqFtsum61c_7uWCLzYsGFI_Ii-mZZMsQaB_JBuRXpOd91KZN6QLQyX2wIPdJP4Rj-H8rMscLIC-Lp_bw2QFU4T6qPcMqCmeKLztc8uPw/s640/blogger-image-992946186.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bunny wasn't thinking how cold it was going to be for hunting eggs at 7am!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjuKo2x0adiieuBxNKhGJHuKklq33twochFdoEdAGQP9AmrRh2oYiNEjv6QrDshaivIWDID0glM_XLTXUURnU_H4SWScCTYau5Tt0rwsRcPLFRIxd7hedcwvmqb41qiLVAuDbIcdJW6c/s640/blogger-image--1224664914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjuKo2x0adiieuBxNKhGJHuKklq33twochFdoEdAGQP9AmrRh2oYiNEjv6QrDshaivIWDID0glM_XLTXUURnU_H4SWScCTYau5Tt0rwsRcPLFRIxd7hedcwvmqb41qiLVAuDbIcdJW6c/s640/blogger-image--1224664914.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bunny was smart and hid their baskets inside- hence the Walmart bags for hunting eggs at 7am.</td></tr>
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On several occasions over the weekend, I caught myself frozen in place, just staring at my family.<br />
I was thinking how grateful I am to be able to experience simple moments where I feel my mom's presence blessing our family and God's gifts all around us- like these ones of Claire and my dad. <br />
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I hope that everyone had a blessed Easter weekend surrounded by people they are thankful for. Take a few minutes today to thank God for all of the good in your life, even if you are having a bad day or facing something very difficult. You will be surprised at how many more blessings you become aware of as you take a moment to talk with God. xoxo</div>
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For this week's recipe, I decided to post my mom's sour cream pound cake. I have so many memories of her making this for Easter- even making it into mini cakes in a Williams- Sonoma Easter egg pan some years. She made it all year long but I especially remember the egg- cakes :) This cake is fantastic with sliced strawberries on top!</div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Sour Cream Pound Cake</span></u></strong></div>
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1 cup of butter</div>
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3 cups sugar</div>
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6 eggs</div>
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1 cup sour cream</div>
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1/4 tsp. baking soda</div>
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3 cups flour</div>
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1 tsp. vanilla</div>
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Bake at 325 degrees for 1.5 hours in a 10 inch greased and floured tube pan (or for less time in mini-pans!)</div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-90141947237352870692015-03-31T17:46:00.002-07:002015-03-31T20:18:45.288-07:00Choose To Be Happy<div style="text-align: center;">
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Choose to be happy. Joy grows from the inside and is reflected on the outside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Joy.<br />
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<img alt="Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." class="pinImage" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ab/6d/9a/ab6d9a9feecb34a5d055a30d31fa8a78.jpg" width="268" /></td></tr>
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Choose to be happy. How simple is that? Actually, not that simple at all. It sounds simple for sure, but we all know that there is a lot more to it than that. I am the first to admit that I have had trouble always being totally and completely "happy". I let things get to me terribly. I worry frequently. I let others opinions change my state of mind. I let worry take over my mind at times. I actually worried so much about doing this blog that I didn't know if I should even go through with it because of worrying what others would think. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wd3zXTJAVL0GS8Y3ydovX7xv8sTHKcP2o2XiF1DxHYl9pk3iwI6lK-Oi7njgoB6qPAsl0M-k0wHDvyspqALJgmClJ7Dpu7JH189PUZXSpaCjTGykWX2Ji1MsurxGqa6iBc8TLPJNt5Y/s640/blogger-image-1949229079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wd3zXTJAVL0GS8Y3ydovX7xv8sTHKcP2o2XiF1DxHYl9pk3iwI6lK-Oi7njgoB6qPAsl0M-k0wHDvyspqALJgmClJ7Dpu7JH189PUZXSpaCjTGykWX2Ji1MsurxGqa6iBc8TLPJNt5Y/s640/blogger-image-1949229079.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could I not be happy with these 3 cuddled in my bed!?</td></tr>
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Although I have had many of the journal items memorized for years, now that I am writing them and interpreting them, I am learning so much more about myself and how to apply these to my life everyday. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzqKCcCYaZ5uJGdb9gDiMudViJtjHrgYADGE5esP6sz5gHVwGUVfzLp_Jh3-WyezjsJD-od3JARM0tiaBwx7WJ1OsdEjbdOIoot2mMsaqNNIvCZTcMndkkFV1OusYqnaptrCRlPiNzaI/s640/blogger-image-1423720274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzqKCcCYaZ5uJGdb9gDiMudViJtjHrgYADGE5esP6sz5gHVwGUVfzLp_Jh3-WyezjsJD-od3JARM0tiaBwx7WJ1OsdEjbdOIoot2mMsaqNNIvCZTcMndkkFV1OusYqnaptrCRlPiNzaI/s640/blogger-image-1423720274.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And I think to myself.....What a wonderful world."</td></tr>
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Choose to be happy. I am on a constant journey with this one. For a long time, I didn't feel like I should ever be happy. I had lost my mom, my best friend. How could I ever be happy again? How could I possibly go on and have a fulfilled, happy life? Wouldn't it be selfish to be happy? But I came to realize that my mom WANTED me to be happy. She constantly told me to live my life and be happy. She frequently told me not to care what others thought or said or did- worry only about myself and my family. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDj_aZ-UxjlneX7qNmDX4itce2oJrf_QDH5r0kRoo_gy3zD-4YXRXpGgd-m5LWkmFvBOjWmVNvBADikNdoR5A5r1Dl15Rv4YqA3cpcYjDYH2aAe_uf58ztv5j_CdVeeOvhsqsTxzJ-II/s640/blogger-image--1689801161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDj_aZ-UxjlneX7qNmDX4itce2oJrf_QDH5r0kRoo_gy3zD-4YXRXpGgd-m5LWkmFvBOjWmVNvBADikNdoR5A5r1Dl15Rv4YqA3cpcYjDYH2aAe_uf58ztv5j_CdVeeOvhsqsTxzJ-II/s640/blogger-image--1689801161.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiness is spraying each other with the hose.</td></tr>
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She was so right, and so real in her statement that joy grows from the inside. When I allow myself to be free of worry and not bogged down by other things, my heart is so full of joy. I have so, so much to be happy about, grateful for. Even on the worst of days, there are so many blessings surrounding me. Making the choice to be happy can change not only my day on even a yucky day, but the days of so many others. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A2fJF8UavFjgRT9KSiMihPCeLAvnKjUZMCnPJ-eg0sGp1IZbQq_tAWgMJzeNN49sRR0dAlNc_wlfKnwQXpyy3lwLtKXg9xtVM6awOVohKIe12HIqnqAIy00m_-_Pk2yKhQhiIk-mXyY/s640/blogger-image-1027385066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A2fJF8UavFjgRT9KSiMihPCeLAvnKjUZMCnPJ-eg0sGp1IZbQq_tAWgMJzeNN49sRR0dAlNc_wlfKnwQXpyy3lwLtKXg9xtVM6awOVohKIe12HIqnqAIy00m_-_Pk2yKhQhiIk-mXyY/s640/blogger-image-1027385066.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lights of my life</td></tr>
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Joy starts on the inside and is reflected on the outside. </div>
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We have all had days where we are not happy and it shows....but then it rubs off on those around us. When I am letting my mind get away from me with worry or someone else's opinion, I do not reflect any sort of joy. This is evident to Jeremy, my kids, and more. The attitude that I have no matter what kind of day it is directly affects so many- even the kids in my classroom. As I have grown and learned what it means to choose to be happy, I try to do this everyday. Are there days when it is hard? Of course. But I always try to catch myself and choose joy- and most of the time my day is turned around by the way that my joy is received. If I wake up tired (which I do very often because Claire doesn't believe in sleep) and grouch at my kids, that sets their tone for the day as well as mine. If I start off my day at school by being unhappy with my class, that lessens the trust those children have in me as their nurturer and caregiver away from home. When I show joy to my kids, WOW- my house is such a happier place! Same thing at school- my students may get rowdy but they are SO much more willing to learn. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkjE3YJA9eL_bGq0R2iH85JlWyk7IXega3tldyR8Sdrcyhq3uyrqzTf0QXOD-4irm2Op1tofuBHlaanaoTE5jeBSxYF83AKQvfBMV_vZTr5no7c2W6fCt1igNLw0LgSJifeZURUeYZCE/s640/blogger-image--1744562657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkjE3YJA9eL_bGq0R2iH85JlWyk7IXega3tldyR8Sdrcyhq3uyrqzTf0QXOD-4irm2Op1tofuBHlaanaoTE5jeBSxYF83AKQvfBMV_vZTr5no7c2W6fCt1igNLw0LgSJifeZURUeYZCE/s640/blogger-image--1744562657.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiness is playing in the rain!</td></tr>
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I am really trying to teach my children that happiness is a choice as well. I know that at this point in their lives, they are very young and naïve and hopefully happy everyday. They have yet to face many trials and tribulations other than if their ipad loses it's charge or we run out of ice cream. However, I know that the time will come soon when happiness becomes a choice for them. They will be faced with many choices while growing up, and I hope that by choosing to be happy and joyful each day, this will impact the other choices they have to make in a positive sense. I want my children to know how loved they are and always be full of joy. I want them to be so full of that joy that they instinctively spread it to those less fortunate, those in need of happiness, to everyone. </div>
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We can look at people and see if they are joyful or not...when we see someone who is shining with happiness and joy, this does not mean that their life is all flowers and smiley faces. They too, like everyone else, have real problems that they are dealing with every day. They just choose happiness each morning when they wake up. They choose to know that although there is something weighing on their heart or mind, they are choosing to be happy because they know it will rub off on those around them and reflect joy to others. They know that life is too short to not be happy. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkJNNijYvjH1zhdlJwxzEbLT3ZUhk7Q72MVhzTTKq1PzzflrJ0BCNqiUOC7sn4-gHXaWrGOv_z8trsZAqyvkLUwMf_tqjR3MirIkdlXjnkidg6HtNAEzk0Yyqgdo0XIc-lutFFJSYxCE/s640/blogger-image-839856615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkJNNijYvjH1zhdlJwxzEbLT3ZUhk7Q72MVhzTTKq1PzzflrJ0BCNqiUOC7sn4-gHXaWrGOv_z8trsZAqyvkLUwMf_tqjR3MirIkdlXjnkidg6HtNAEzk0Yyqgdo0XIc-lutFFJSYxCE/s640/blogger-image-839856615.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiness is flying high above the pool!</td></tr>
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I am a work in progress with this- I still let things bother me and get under my skin a lot. I worry what people think and get frustrated easily at times. I am constantly trying to think about my mom and how she dealt with her illness. She rode a constant roller coaster of emotions...and yet, she<strong> chose</strong> to be happy. Did she have her moments where she broke down and was sad? Certainly. But most days she woke up deciding to live the life that she had as a happy and grateful person. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOlbJqGVNKoKbVRV-7EzwqKO40-0PgGCg7lks44iO-kuEgmo1Ho7ODwOXy2a5HbFDAjR4txLvQhO9fF0R8bsJADvLsq5qDKxcJ1TwTrMd2Epr18M8_OBCZtQcdzv7NQVyGDrijmcBmDM/s640/blogger-image-1824573518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOlbJqGVNKoKbVRV-7EzwqKO40-0PgGCg7lks44iO-kuEgmo1Ho7ODwOXy2a5HbFDAjR4txLvQhO9fF0R8bsJADvLsq5qDKxcJ1TwTrMd2Epr18M8_OBCZtQcdzv7NQVyGDrijmcBmDM/s640/blogger-image-1824573518.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full of joy, even during difficult times</td></tr>
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How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as someone who was grouchy or irritable? Someone who was always upset or complaining? </div>
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Or do you want to be remembered as a person who was so full of life and joy that you influenced others to be the same way? That is what I am hoping for myself someday. Obviously I hope that I live a long and healthy life, but it is always in the back of my head that anything can happen at any moment. I worry more than I should about leaving this earth at a young age like my mom did. I hope that I can live whatever life I have here on earth showing others happiness and joy. </div>
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My mom obviously wrote this journal for me over a year before she died. She was very sick for 3 years. One would think that the memories that many have of her would be as an unhappy and unjoyful person because the last few years of her life were so full of trials....but they are not. Words cannot express how proud it makes me when I run into someone who knew her, or when I have a nurse take care of myself or my kids that had her in school- and they all say what a joyful person she was, always laughing and smiling, always joking with her coworkers and students, always showing joy even to the end.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG5oWlh60LBh_oGMhLb5ECW3gk6RaE4bw_AsaAuFo-bDjuXUBLSGQFRllIsJ9sqelUvSM-Xzi0Vi24cAQ4FRyd4UtTigBIGTFb0iJCDYLi7UprtIyhpnjK5QnFo5IwE_94G1rH2IxxKM/s640/blogger-image--39987617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG5oWlh60LBh_oGMhLb5ECW3gk6RaE4bw_AsaAuFo-bDjuXUBLSGQFRllIsJ9sqelUvSM-Xzi0Vi24cAQ4FRyd4UtTigBIGTFb0iJCDYLi7UprtIyhpnjK5QnFo5IwE_94G1rH2IxxKM/s640/blogger-image--39987617.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooo full of joy dancing with my baby brother during my big brother's wedding!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One such instance that comes to mind is when my mom was going through chemo, she would be going somewhere in the car and someone would pass her or honk if she was going slow (which she always did- a trait I did NOT inherit ha!)...she would pull her wig off and grin just for the shock factor. This was her way of making light an otherwise sad situation. I think that this goes to show that we can find some sort of joy in just about anything if we search hard enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7_n4-GK_MBHUkYL4zAAyTgmpoWgPupdvdtb15VjRv7Uq5QMGJomwmQuMhXDGcQzmWuj5RinXWGfnkprnCYNvVxs88ZjWIsuVYKHjWBarNkJUGU8X-dC9y9-NBdg-bdA-6oPVfVcyiiQ/s640/blogger-image--495201242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7_n4-GK_MBHUkYL4zAAyTgmpoWgPupdvdtb15VjRv7Uq5QMGJomwmQuMhXDGcQzmWuj5RinXWGfnkprnCYNvVxs88ZjWIsuVYKHjWBarNkJUGU8X-dC9y9-NBdg-bdA-6oPVfVcyiiQ/s640/blogger-image--495201242.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before her illness...so full of joy at my big brother's graduation from Notre Dame.</td></tr>
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One of my mom's dearest friends lived 2 doors up from my parents' house. The weekend before she passed, it was evident she was not doing well. Cheri came down to hang out for what would be the last time. I remember sitting at the breakfast bar in my parents' kitchen while they talked. Cheri was having a very difficult time with what was in the very near future...and then my mom chose to show happiness and joy- a happiness and joy that came from so deep inside her that it was obvious that her faith in God and what was to come were behind it- and she said to her friend, "Oh Cheri, would you quit being so darn sad? I will still be with you all of the time. Just think- when you are outside sitting on your porch or in your hottub and a bird sh*%$ on your head, it will be me." </div>
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True story- Cheri has had a bird poo on her head several times since then. She also constantly sees birds sit right by her or act peculiar when she is in her backyard. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDTOVO7O5sZI_qLA9sia_-SCcNii4K-Z1oaEwYy3eQxog2Y2RdI_SAQI_ZqSQYjWlbXeQSeATNH8xN8gAt7emUGumJQ5rEkxuuLy26vsp2NYZqxJWJHyZdUORmiebhmOEBVBsgEKpls4/s640/blogger-image--829141952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDTOVO7O5sZI_qLA9sia_-SCcNii4K-Z1oaEwYy3eQxog2Y2RdI_SAQI_ZqSQYjWlbXeQSeATNH8xN8gAt7emUGumJQ5rEkxuuLy26vsp2NYZqxJWJHyZdUORmiebhmOEBVBsgEKpls4/s640/blogger-image--829141952.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left and bottom pics- from a scrapbook I made for my mom's 50th birthday. Top right- Cheri and I at my wedding :)</td></tr>
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Now, I know that this may seem kind of silly to share with you, but my point is that no matter what the circumstance, it is ok to still have some happiness inside of you that you share with others. Joyful people are contagious. The next time you find yourself being unhappy about something or someone, try to find it in yourself to show happiness for something in your life. Watch the joy that you radiate spread to others. xoxo<br />
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<img alt="Choose to be Happy Everyday! http://www.motivationiscalling.com http://facebook.com/motivationiscalling" class="pinImage" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/57/15/34/571534d274e9fd715abaabb543887d17.jpg" width="266" /><br />
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Finally, a recipe of my mom's that makes me HAPPY:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cabbage Salad</u></span></strong> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I make this CONSTANTLY in the spring and summer- perfect for Easter or any sort of gathering!)</span><br />
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-3 tablespoons sesame seeds</div>
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-1 cup slivered almonds</div>
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<em>Toast the seeds and almonds and set aside</em></div>
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-Shred 1 head of cabbage</div>
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-3 tablespoons of chopped onion</div>
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-1 package of chicken flavored ramen noodles (crunch in package and remove and save seasoning pack)</div>
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Mix and shake (or put in blender):</div>
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-1/4 cup canola oil</div>
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-1/4 cup sugar</div>
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-1 tsp. salt</div>
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-3 tablespoons white vinegar</div>
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-dash of pepper</div>
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-seasoning packet from ramen noodles</div>
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Add nut mixture to cabbage mixture, then add dressing. Refrigerate in airtight container, toss before serving.<em></em></div>
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-56587087379834468302015-03-22T20:32:00.000-07:002015-03-23T14:24:43.984-07:00Item #39- What True Love is All About<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JHZ3hyfj4DXHJ2wR-y4H47IqEv3Oy_Z8PWfvt0AxKwpsUYPYabspriwI76rpjlB2QmQotXai2-t9fgSW-5gG9bwO7lFcCimWA4E9qsAOV3wYvwjkLXvY_RNRLQME2HDvTjJdKOkGocI/s640/blogger-image-1316240383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JHZ3hyfj4DXHJ2wR-y4H47IqEv3Oy_Z8PWfvt0AxKwpsUYPYabspriwI76rpjlB2QmQotXai2-t9fgSW-5gG9bwO7lFcCimWA4E9qsAOV3wYvwjkLXvY_RNRLQME2HDvTjJdKOkGocI/s640/blogger-image-1316240383.jpg" /></a></div>
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39. Love is grand, lust and passion are great, but the feeling that comes to you when things aren't right in your world when only your husband can make things better- holding you, holding your hand, sitting up with you with a sick child is what true long lasting love is about.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 Year Anniversary Selfie ;)</td></tr>
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When I started to think about the direction I want this blog to go in, I decided that I would post about whatever is pertinent in my life at the time from my mom's journal rather than go in the exact order she wrote things.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Today's post is actually about #39. I feel that it is very appropriate at the beginning of this blog journey because it will allow me to share about my number one support, my husband. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The idea of this blog actually came to me while on vacation 18 months ago with just Jeremy and the kids. I had been reading several of my favorite blogs and loved how inspirational they were. I had been really missing my mom and saddened by the fact that she was not here to see my children and their amazing personalities. I had wanted to share her messages with others for awhile, but it wasn't until that trip that it finally came to me that this was the way to do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From that time, Jeremy has supported me 100% in this journey. He knows how dear to my heart this is, how important it is to me to keep my mom's memory alive. Jeremy was more than a son-in-law to my mom, he was her buddy. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Prom! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were sooo young!</td></tr>
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Jeremy and I met my senior year of high school when his school had a basketball game against my school. When we met, we had both already committed to Miami University. The first time he came to my house to take me on a date, he had on a beat up ball cap and ugly Jordan shoes- and my mom adored him. I can STILL see her standing at the top of the stairs with my dad watching us leave, and can still see her standing there when I got home. She asked how it went, then simply said <em>"You are going to marry him someday." </em></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night out during our 4 years at Miami!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozCuPkdPLgjVF-h3PEPUPGhKrdqMJC_gdvUOSdFEetbiYY5aDMGW6nzLocC-fXJIV3lP-Jq4mdwjCKTQYZqYkUWYAaqENhkpF-z3QnyWxWddSWPPcdyCD6gs0DduRp4GJQ_aDmX8jz_c/s640/blogger-image--1787278494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozCuPkdPLgjVF-h3PEPUPGhKrdqMJC_gdvUOSdFEetbiYY5aDMGW6nzLocC-fXJIV3lP-Jq4mdwjCKTQYZqYkUWYAaqENhkpF-z3QnyWxWddSWPPcdyCD6gs0DduRp4GJQ_aDmX8jz_c/s640/blogger-image--1787278494.jpg" /></a></div>
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School of Education graduation- May 2003</div>
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We were together throughout our 4 years at Miami, and I can still remember the day that we went home for Thanksgiving break our senior year...that fateful day when my mom told me she had cancer. After talking with my parents, I immediately got in the car and drove to Jeremy's house- he was the only one who could make things seem better. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our engagement picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 10, 2004</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ezxDVaW91eICZcc6pkdWyHbPQBLhaus9EDbiQF5PSGNeq9I0iywlGTJidF_W9Rf0D7mHWd7_RIOV8zjqVAqX3JvIRT-hOHKGLYF_onzdbL6zqeeDE7JTewIisuIH8IF1XX0KxHQ4eTc/s640/blogger-image--1795859325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ezxDVaW91eICZcc6pkdWyHbPQBLhaus9EDbiQF5PSGNeq9I0iywlGTJidF_W9Rf0D7mHWd7_RIOV8zjqVAqX3JvIRT-hOHKGLYF_onzdbL6zqeeDE7JTewIisuIH8IF1XX0KxHQ4eTc/s640/blogger-image--1795859325.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeymoon in Palm Beach, FL</td></tr>
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From that moment on, he became my rock. He understood that I had to go home constantly the rest of my senior year. He understood when I wanted to get engaged and married quickly after college so my mom could be there. He never questioned it when I called my mom to check on her at least 3 times a day from our honeymoon. He understood when we were newlyweds and I wanted to run home every weekend to be with my mom. He was the voice of reason when I wanted to rush having children so that maybe she could meet them....he knew that wasn't the right or healthy thing to do. </div>
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He was there up until the end- making jokes with her and promising her he would take care of me. He was there to hold me the minute I got home from the hospital with my dad the night she passed. He was the one who had a veryyyy real dream about her shortly after her passing where she told him that she is completely happy and feels great- and to tell me to quit calling and pestering her! ha! Of course she would go to him in a dream before me, we always joked that she liked him better than she liked me!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These three adore their daddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was sick with a stomach bug so he took them to breakfast with Santa by himself!</td></tr>
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Since having our 3 sweet children, Jeremy has done everything in his power to teach them about "Grammy". He tells them stories about her all the time, talks about her as if she is here, and talks to them about how she is in Heaven whenever we see the moon. He even talks to them about good food she made when we are eating! I feel that my children truly "know" her due in large part to him. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When rereading #39 in my journal, his support throughout all of the above plays over and over in my head. It is so applicable to some of my fears as well. Jeremy knows that I could very well face what my mom went through. He knows that I will possibly face extensive medical procedures to try to prevent going through it. He does not bat an eye about it, and encourages me to do whatever possible to ensure that I am here on this earth as long as possible. </span></div>
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I also relate it so much to him as a father to our children. He is such an amazing daddy to Brady, Luke, and Claire. I fall in love with him more and more each time I see him with them. What my mama said about love being when he sits up with you with a sick child- this is less than glamorous, but so true. With three kids and 2 of them in school, there is alot of sickness going on frequently here. Poor guy even had to hold the bag while Luke got sick on an airplane ride home from Disney World last month. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire defines "daddy's girl" in every sense of the term.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxncK2GRCRn7tWQMSR_tx6I6Y3Z7kSIJGlQvCuNCCRl1DOKQOU4t0qIg3w1KbdDqjNLjOcMxwHiEEMoPH-DHDNKIjNo2TwQzrWGyUlquE_3j8T2hZsBC11JiHX1DXZHJ-B0fnWO38HiLg/s640/blogger-image-1413098554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxncK2GRCRn7tWQMSR_tx6I6Y3Z7kSIJGlQvCuNCCRl1DOKQOU4t0qIg3w1KbdDqjNLjOcMxwHiEEMoPH-DHDNKIjNo2TwQzrWGyUlquE_3j8T2hZsBC11JiHX1DXZHJ-B0fnWO38HiLg/s640/blogger-image-1413098554.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy is Luke's hero :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ObEtZcBIeJEYTQ04NTs2kTGoOq0owYBpEBwGv7mjpBWWww5pEsq8REt5Ab-DsVy_aJE0UZ-MU77PQxFLAuMttSKVN1gNFCB0oZRhsAl8XQx4bFsAivwiZ629DN0lg6_7dihgoZlh__U/s640/blogger-image--445385041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ObEtZcBIeJEYTQ04NTs2kTGoOq0owYBpEBwGv7mjpBWWww5pEsq8REt5Ab-DsVy_aJE0UZ-MU77PQxFLAuMttSKVN1gNFCB0oZRhsAl8XQx4bFsAivwiZ629DN0lg6_7dihgoZlh__U/s640/blogger-image--445385041.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pictures of Jeremy and Brady- after his team won a basketball tourney this year.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jeremy will take on anything with our kids and do it with a smile. He will play babydolls with Claire or shoot basketball with the boys. He will take them to get me gaudy jewelry and roses for Mother's Day and attempt to bake me a cake with them for my birthday. He tells my kids at every meal how lucky they are to have a mommy that cooks and bakes for them and always teaches them to tell me "thank you". </span></div>
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When my mom was really sick towards the end, she worried a lot about my brothers, my dad and myself. She tried to organize things and teach us as much as possible, and left <u>each</u> of us with a journal. (Yes, she wrote FOUR journals. She also made baby quilts for us to have even though none of us had children at that point, and made Christening quilts out of her wedding dress for each of us to have for our future children. She was amazing.) In my dad's journal, there is an entry asking him to take care of my little brother (he was just finishing college at the time) and to keep a special eye on him. She then went on to say in the journal <em><strong>"Andy will be fine. She has Jeremy."</strong></em> (Andy has been my nickname in my family since my older brother couldn't pronounce 'Andrea' when I was born). </div>
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Very simple but very powerful statement coming from a woman who wanted to make sure everything was in place before she passed. She KNEW that Jeremy was who God chose for me. She KNEW from the very beginning, long before her illness, that he is the one who would support me and love me and always be by my side, long after she left it. She knew that she could leave this earth to go to Heaven knowing that I would be ok because of him. <br />
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Now, this is not to say that we have a perfect marriage, because no one does. Of course we argue and disagree at times like any other married couple. We are both incredibly stubborn and want the last word. However, quite a few of my mom's 127 things revolve around always respecting Jeremy and how important it is to work at our marriage. I think that my respect runs so incredibly deep for Jeremy not just because of what a good dad he is or how hard he works, but because of his commitment to keeping my mom's memory alive for me and our children. </div>
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Losing my mom was obviously the worst thing I have ever gone through, and I would love to have another day with her. It took me a long<em> </em>time to get past my sadness, anger, and mix of emotions. After awhile, I began to think about turning her death into a positive...maybe part of God's plan was that I would learn to fully respect my husband more, to value life so much more, and to influence others to do the same. Thinking back to #39 mentioned above, of course love/lust/passion are great. Who doesn't love the butterflies you got when you fell in love, go on dates, and get flowers? Are there times when I get frustrated because Jeremy and I don't get <strike>much</strike> any alone time because of our three crazies? Sure! But I remember what my mom said and know that I am so beyond blessed to have someone by my side who is there for me and our children through thick and thin. </div>
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Jeremy loved my mom's cooking, so it is only appropriate I post a recipe for one of his favorites:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year Round Fruit Salad </span></b><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*adapted from Taste of Home</span></strong></div>
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(it can easily be made anytime of year because it doesn't require any seasonal fruit)</div>
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-I make this for potlucks, brunch, and as a sidedish when we have breakfast for dinner!-</div>
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1 20oz can pineapple chunks</div>
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1/2 cup sugar</div>
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2 tablespoons cornstarch</div>
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1/3 cup orange juice</div>
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1 T lemon juice</div>
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1-2 cans mandarin oranges, drained</div>
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3 apples chopped ( I use both red and green- leave the peel on for color)</div>
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3 bananas, sliced</div>
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mini marshmallows- OPTIONAL (for kids)</div>
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Drain pineapple, reserving 3/4 cup of the juice. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Pour in the pineapple, orange and lemon juices and whisk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, then cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; set aside. <span class="rd_name">In a large bowl, combine the fruits. Pour warm sauce over the fruit; stir gently to coat. Refrigerate and enjoy!</span><br />
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Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-64047225917165860322015-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:002015-03-17T03:58:47.838-07:00Item #1...You Are Loved More Than You Will Ever Know<div style="text-align: center;">
I am pretty excited with how the timing of this blog being ready coincided with item #1 in the journal that my mom left me. It is something very simple that she started out with when writing things down for me, but as a mama, there are no truer words that can be spoken:</div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">YOU ARE LOVED MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.</span></em></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady at age 3</td></tr>
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Now, I love and adore each of my children equally and to the moon and back on a rocket ship (we say this every night at bedtime). However, today is my oldest baby's birthday, so I am focusing this post on him. Brady David turns 8 years old today. I am convinced that the timing of his birthday was <u>completely orchestrated</u> by my mom and God.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious boy a few hours after being born a month early!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady was hooked up to apnea monitors for 3 months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidadrjv_XahAi9-SVTJM5VqhvAmKDVBnrOIReXXRJ0FJ74SQv4IKgJPKbWm1YXvnlQm4jcDROjQLpIhF3_3Hc0Lf3kOjYrcl8RA_zS-sl4Zrn0iWHkDzM0mfK64emITMnnQokuJylTGNI/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidadrjv_XahAi9-SVTJM5VqhvAmKDVBnrOIReXXRJ0FJ74SQv4IKgJPKbWm1YXvnlQm4jcDROjQLpIhF3_3Hc0Lf3kOjYrcl8RA_zS-sl4Zrn0iWHkDzM0mfK64emITMnnQokuJylTGNI/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tiny baby boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady at 6 weeks old</td></tr>
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We found out we were expecting a few months after my mom passed away. It was a huge mix of emotions to say the least. We were thrilled to be having our first child, but it was devastating to me to have to go through pregnancy without the guidance of my mom (who happened to be a labor and delivery nurse and nursing instructor). I was dealing with lots of things at the time of the pregnancy- a brand new teaching job in a new district, putting our first home on the market and preparing to move, helping my dad, brothers, and grandmother cope with the loss of my mom, and more. I had several weird complications during the pregnancy, such as Fifth's Disease (thanks to working in a school).</div>
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Needless to say, I was absolutely dreading the first anniversary of my mom's passing- I was 36 weeks pregnant and extremely emotional. My best friends planned to take me to dinner that night, as Jeremy was at a basketball tournament in Columbus. I ended up getting realllllly sick though, and told them not to come. My wonderful mother-in-law came to my house and took me to the E.R. because something didn't seem right. I was so, so sick and covered in a weird, horribly itchy rash. After a few hours in the E.R., they determined everything was ok and sent me home. I tried to go to bed, but a few hours later was unable to bend my arms and legs and couldn't even stand up I was so nauseated. At this point, Jeremy was home and took me back to the hospital. Once there, I lost control of all body functions and they said I was in labor. They ran some quick labs and determined I had late stages of HELLP syndrome ( (H) hemolysis, (EL<wbr></wbr>) elevated liver enzymes, and a (LP) low platelet count)- which is a very bad form of preeclampsia. They immediately wheeled me to the O.R. and did an emergency C-section. I don't remember much, but Jeremy was terrified.</div>
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Early on March 17, St. Patrick's Day, my sweet Brady David was born. He was 5 lbs, 7 oz and had underdeveloped lungs and premature apnea. We ended up at Akron Children's Hospital for a week and then on a breathing monitor and meds for 3 months. He grew so quickly and is now almost as tall as me! You would never know he had such a rough start! </div>
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I feel that my mom had everything to do with when Brady came into this world- he wasn't due for another month, but I went into labor exactly one year to the date that she passed, and then had him early the next morning. <span style="color: black;">I will <strong>never</strong> dread this time of year as I once thought I would- </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>one of my greatest gifts from God came on the luckiest of holidays.</strong></span> Now instead of feeling sad leading up to March 16 each year, I think about the gift that my mom sent me as we celebrate Brady. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3Scju5GyBL23086qpJqyjKLXteCnGycq-tZvjN5EITuBJvUeeigaoYLlNuIx_xlbqRtl0D3BTq1UY9oKEK8Ae2KA14WibZFfs0pGKmBILz9AFkaudTF67EnL8VGkxsSY6d2APsN6YxU/s1600/45102_147471915274959_1300530_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3Scju5GyBL23086qpJqyjKLXteCnGycq-tZvjN5EITuBJvUeeigaoYLlNuIx_xlbqRtl0D3BTq1UY9oKEK8Ae2KA14WibZFfs0pGKmBILz9AFkaudTF67EnL8VGkxsSY6d2APsN6YxU/s1600/45102_147471915274959_1300530_n%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady's first day of Preschool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIon3_jupPPYlkQ9d6BT_CI5H4DoIpxfKG5v94QmGtEXiZzrIHduCpBgj8Lhke4PLt0LEDe8iEeKRDKgdzh3GsRw_8mywv4knwf1Dmvel16r9rbp8FLPSWiIVehPcslgntwjVZWP3X_Ew/s1600/533196_456813111007503_979943048_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIon3_jupPPYlkQ9d6BT_CI5H4DoIpxfKG5v94QmGtEXiZzrIHduCpBgj8Lhke4PLt0LEDe8iEeKRDKgdzh3GsRw_8mywv4knwf1Dmvel16r9rbp8FLPSWiIVehPcslgntwjVZWP3X_Ew/s1600/533196_456813111007503_979943048_n%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady's first day of Kindergarten!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was so excited to have a little sister!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is Luke's hero! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is the sweetest big brother!<br />
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Brady is an amazing kid- he is super cuddly, even though he is practically as tall as me. He is an incredible big brother (all of the time to Claire, most of the time to Luke ;)). He is extremely curious and inquisitive, and has an immense love of sports- scores, stats, teams, rosters, documentaries on players and teams, he loves it all. He also loves to play sports and play with his wonderful group of friends. I am so, so sad that he is growing up so incredibly fast, but love having conversations with him- he is like a little adult.</div>
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">You are loved more than you will ever know.</span></strong></em><br />
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These words ring in my head constantly as a parent to my own children, even though my mom wrote them for me. I couldn't fully understand them until Brady David entered my world on March 17, 2007, followed by his younger brother and sister. I feel like these words are spoken not only from my mom's heart, but also from God. How loved I feel to be chosen to be Brady, Luke and Claire's mom! How wonderful of a gift from above! <br />
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Take a minute today and tell your children or another loved one that they are loved more than they will ever know. Start writing things down for your children...an idea that I love is starting an email address for your kids. Send them little messages and document special moments, and when they are old enough (or for a special occasion like wedding/graduation), give them the email address which will be full of emails from you. <br />
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I am going to try to include some of my mom's fantastic recipes in blog posts when applicable, so it is only appropriate that I post her brownie recipe below- it is Brady's absolute favorite! Simple and rich enough that they do not need icing. Enjoy! Have a very happy and blessed St. Patrick's Day!</div>
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<u>Grammy's Special Brownies</u></div>
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-1 cup butter or margarine ( I use butter)</div>
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-2 cups sugar</div>
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-4 oz. unsweetened chocolate</div>
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<em> (if you do not have any of this on hand, use the conversion chart on the back of the Hershey's cocoa container!)</em></div>
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-4 eggs</div>
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-2 tsp. vanilla</div>
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-1 and 1/2 cups of flour</div>
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Mix all of the ingredients well and pour into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. </div>
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<br />Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com19Americas (null)40.097911 -80.898747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373084430629205158.post-60952821559234539282015-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:002015-03-15T17:44:59.000-07:00 A Tribute In the Making<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi there, and welcome to 127 Things! This blog is something I have been planning for well over a year and I am so, so excited to finally have it up and running! The driving force behind this blog is a journal that my sweet mama wrote for me before she passed away in 2006, titled <span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Things I Want My Daughter To Know".</span> </span> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPvCrzx8CPZvsl74OQe6Ml_phoog8sfkwhE8vgxSHcExsaNEFrl5k6Nwhyz2R9KVpfKjCHNmfvE0_GTlFkT5YPjTsjQthSgNj7h9i5geLirAmb3ZQokqZ11Qtd0Gapk_D9ZyAPiA8Jd4/s1600/blog+2.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most cherished possession</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For years, I wasn't ready to share it with anyone- it was my own </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">special connection to my mom. I gradually showed it to just a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">few people that were dear to me, and each time I shared it I felt </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">more and more pride in the way it changed their lives. This</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> journal is so full of sentiments, prayers, quotes, and more that</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> impact my life <b>every.single.day</b> as a wife, busy mom of 3, a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">teacher, daughter, daughter-in-law, and friend. With each blog post, I plan </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to share something from the journal and how it impacts me, as </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">well as how it could impact you. My mom left this earth <em><u>waaaay</u></em> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">too soon, but left me with a guidebook for life. At the time of her </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sickness and passing, I was just a newlywed and new teacher with</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> no babies. Somehow, she knew just what to write that would</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> eventually get me through everything that was to come. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ultimately, this journal reminds me to try my hardest to be the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> best wife and mama possible, relying heavily on faith, family, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and friends. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful mom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA53n22kK_j7havCKrMcNYyDkEQxl8e41VRcdXNI7A8brzieimqhpPbzyKrfSyJrYVccLJ-7OsTjsscD5z53jwzgN6GyF727ZvROh7ZNFhzGkpXkqF_JdLGuF69NYJBlBneb6jnJBaUA4/s1600/mom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA53n22kK_j7havCKrMcNYyDkEQxl8e41VRcdXNI7A8brzieimqhpPbzyKrfSyJrYVccLJ-7OsTjsscD5z53jwzgN6GyF727ZvROh7ZNFhzGkpXkqF_JdLGuF69NYJBlBneb6jnJBaUA4/s1600/mom.JPG" height="320" width="271" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So grateful that my sweet mama was in remission</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">at the time of my wedding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The timing of this blog being completed is perfect in the sense that I am writing it to honor my mom...she has been gone for 9 years tomorrow. I can think of no better way to remember her faith, resilience, and love for God than to start this blog. I hope that someday, it can be an online scrapbook for my own children full of memories of our crazy, loving and chaotic family, and with lessons from their "Grammy" that they never had the chance to meet. My mom was many things...an amazing wife, mother, nurse, teacher, friend, cook, and much more. She was also an extremely spiritual and positive person, something that I am striving towards every day. I am so grateful to finally have a place to put my memories and moments into words to share with so many. I hope that through this blog, you are inspired by my mom's words to live a more purposeful life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of you that are linking up and don't "know" me, thank you for reading! I am Andrea, wife to Jeremy, and mommy to Brady, Luke and Claire.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I'm biased, but aren't they precious!????<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0N0fGRNeQUAVk3s_RwWUqPQPU8s6kDvK65sZ86gJNc62-iSqLps8XakpLpVKHFNDELuLItDvCeZhx3qOehxqUlSPEjsNVqT3zQHxuK0aR4k4eZ-M01MC6DLOzyW1rSilmXFdsJspo3c/s1600/087A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love, love, love my little family<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am also a first grade teacher (which is crazy-town at times!). We are always busy, our house is always loud and somewhat messy, and we wouldn't have it any other way. I think of my mom every day of my life and try to instill the faith and values she taught me in my own children. Do I still get sad that she is not here? Of course. But I know that I had a better mom in the 25 years that I had mine than some people have in their whole lives. A picture I have hanging in our home sums it up- <em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">It is not the years in your life that matter, it is the life in your years</span>.</em> I know that God needed my mom in Heaven, and that ultimately we will be together again. I am absolutely certain that she is up there right next to Him helping to call the shots in my life. I am beyond blessed and love my little family more than words can possibly say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This blog is not at all going to be a sad, doom and gloom type of thing- my mom constantly said to me to "<em><strong>live your life</strong></em>", and that's exactly what I plan to do while documenting some of it on here! I hope to share lots of recipes, family fun and meaningful tidbits in the days to come! Thank you so, so much to Andrea McAnally from <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">the Momfessionals Blog</a> and Slightly Askew Designs for creating this beautiful blog and inspiring me so much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks so much for reading! Check back on Tuesday when I will be sharing the first of 127 things she wrote in my book. Have a fantastic day!</span></div>
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</span>Andrea (127things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07260896307636971688noreply@blogger.com15