tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49443459397688804572024-02-07T19:53:19.446-06:00The Messy MomA lighthearted look at the good, the bad, and the messy side of motherhood. Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.comBlogger1313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-39398189272794552282015-05-21T08:54:00.001-05:002015-05-21T08:54:39.640-05:00I've MOVED!!! It happened! I mostly successfully moved this entire blog over to Word Press. There is still a lot of work to be done, but here are a few things you should know.<br />
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1. The site from August 2008- May 2015 will still be here for archiving and personal reasons. </div>
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2. The new name of this site is <b> themessymom.blogspot.com</b> and the site as you knew it before <a href="http://www.messymom.com/" target="_blank"><b>messymom.com</b> </a> is still going strong under the same domain name. </div>
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3. If you followed the blog before via RSS feed, google followers, or email updates you will need to resubscribe. </div>
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4. All of my social media is the same, EXCEPT google + and youtube. I still have the previously existing accounts, but they are not directly linked with my blog. The new accounts are<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/messymomblog">www.youtube.com/messymomblog</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.google.com/+messymomblog">www.google.com/+messymomblog</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope to see you at the NEW <a href="http://www.messymom.com/welcome/" target="_blank">MESSYMOM.COM .</a> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">You don't want to miss it!!! </span></b></div>
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Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-21211860582009490712015-05-14T22:03:00.001-05:002015-05-14T22:25:37.985-05:00The Post Where I am Way Too Emotional About My Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4Woa4ZWD0B_hvSOY4vCreRH2vGgFp20cEvmYSU1gjIt31QYbSz4dthXmYME3aM6VweDWzcwu6RBTkWYEVsAw3C7aabsOBkHgF-5u0cyUu9FohPFTkhkA84BoY1bH3rM9Yl2FNvm5VYTp/s1600/launchgraphic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4Woa4ZWD0B_hvSOY4vCreRH2vGgFp20cEvmYSU1gjIt31QYbSz4dthXmYME3aM6VweDWzcwu6RBTkWYEVsAw3C7aabsOBkHgF-5u0cyUu9FohPFTkhkA84BoY1bH3rM9Yl2FNvm5VYTp/s320/launchgraphic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today is the last of Messy Mom as I've known it since the beginning (on blogger). I am really nervous about transferring everything because there are so many technical challenges that come along with it and things rarely go seamlessly from what I understand.<br />
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It's been almost 8 years since I found this amazing outlet and I've written over 1,400 posts since then. I've gone through several layouts. Some of you may remember the original header with the picture of my feet, a laundry basket full of clothes, and Z's stuffed animal (his name is Furnando).<br />
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Z was my only child at the time and now I am going to have FOUR! I can't believe just how much I've been through and how far our family has come. I've experienced the good, the bad, and the messy since beginning this journey of motherhood and it's been a pleasure to blog through all of it.<br />
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If you look closely at the Messy Mom welcome video there is a tribute to the original Messy Mom logo in there. As I am looking through the laundry basket of clothes I find Furnando and fling him off to the side.<br />
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This space on the internet has been a home within a home for me for 7 years and I know it's crazy, but I feel a little emotional about leaving it. I know that I'm off to bigger and better things (hopefully) and I am 100% ready, but I just want to pay tribute to this little space that I have spent so much time on. My heart is full of gratitude. So thank you to the thousands of people that have visited this space and decided that my words were worthy of reading. I also want to give a big thank you to <a href="http://www.amuslovesbutch.com/" target="_blank">Amy Ewing</a> who has faithfully read and commented on almost every single post since she discovered my blog 5 years ago! I'll stop there because I am changing blog platforms, not accepting an award.<br />
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But, before I go I want to share with you my VERY FIRST BLOG POST because I think it's significant.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Welcome to the messy mom blog!</span></span></b> </span></blockquote>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">The reason that I chose that name is not because I am proud to be messy or because I feel like that is the phrase that defines me. It is because I wanted to be as transparent as possible. This blog isn’t about having all the answers, but hopefully I do have a few. I have been a wife for almost 8 years and a mom for 11 months now. Like most of us, I am just trying to figure it all out day by day, and to be honest sometimes it gets pretty messy. I am so excited to start writing and I’ve compiled a list of some of things you can expect to get out of the messy mom blog.</span></span></b></blockquote>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1. ENCOURAGEMENT-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Through the good and the bad it is encouraging to know that there are people out there going through the same thing.</span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">2. HUMOR- I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> never take myself too seriously. I am a self proclaimed sit down comedian</span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">3. IDEAS- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Tips tricks and advice on things from everyday life.</span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">4. PHOTOS-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I am a photographer so I cannot help but have VISUALS!</span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">5. A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">We can all benefit from hearing from a point of view different than our own.</span></span></b></blockquote>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Whether you are a new mom, an experienced mom, or even if you just happen to have a mom, I hope that you enjoy reading these upcoming adventures and maybe in the end life can seem just a little less messy.</span></span></b></blockquote>
<b><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b>And that's how this all began. If I hadn't started Messy Mom yet and my first blog post was today I would say the same thing... Except that I have been married for almost 15 years and a mom for 8 years! What an adventure it has been.<br />
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Now that I am done being sappy I want to clarify that MessyMom.com will still be at the same address. I will still have all the same social media accounts, so I don't want to cause confusion when I say that I am "leaving" or "moving", but it is a transition and there may times over the next couple of days that you stop by and find the site completely down or under construction. I really have no idea what to expect, but hopefully we will have SOMETHING up and ready by the end of Saturday.<br />
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Check my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themessymom" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://twitter.com/themessymom" target="_blank">Twitter </a>for updates.<br />
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For now I'm turning out the lights on this blogspot for the final time. Goodnight everyone.Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-10229467878312367312015-05-14T12:46:00.001-05:002015-05-14T12:46:30.805-05:00The Big AnnouncementWell, I have been keeping this secret way too long and it's been absolutely maddening not to be able to talk about it openly. It's not necessarily blog related, but it will certainly have an impact on my content from this point on.<br />
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If you are guessing that I am pregnant you would be correct! I will have lots of time to talk about all the details after this blog move is over. I have so much catching up to do you all are going to be sick of hearing about the pregnancy, but for now here is an a brief overview of where things are.<br />
<br />I am 12 weeks along.<br />
<br />The due date is November 24 (just days before Thanksgiving).<br />
<br />Now that I am officially in my 2nd trimester I am feeling so much better, but I had been super nauseous for the first 10 weeks.<br />
<br />It's still too soon to know the gender, but we do plan on finding out!<br />
<br />This wasn't a planned pregnancy, and it's a little scary. I am still really happy to be pregnant though. We knew we wanted to have more children and it will be nice to have another sibling for my kiddos that is still pretty close in age.<br />
<br />I had my first midwife appointment and they did not do a sonogram, but we did get to hear the heartbeat. All the blood tests came back great too.<br />
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Not a lot of people know yet and this is our first online announcement (a Messy Mom exclusive, wink wink), but now that the cat is out of the bag we'll be releasing our auto tune song on Facebook. I know I am such a nerd, but I've always wanted to do this and HEY, there's an app for that!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> I couldn't think of a better time to share the big news than in the middle of </span><a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/the-new-messy-mom-launch-party.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">The [New] Messy Mom Launch Party</a><span style="text-align: center;"> Now the party is really getting started baby! Yeah!</span><br />
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Remember you can still watch and share my new <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-welcome-video-messymommovie.html" target="_blank">Welcome Video</a>.</div>
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Enter to win the <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Starbucks Card Giveaway</a></div>
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And get your post ready for Tuesday's<a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/look-back-and-laugh.html" target="_blank"> Look Back and Laugh Link-Up</a></div>
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Tomorrow is the last day of the OLD Messy Mom. It looks like it's a year of newness. </div>
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Who's with me? </div>
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<br />Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-32730280681278888182015-05-13T06:56:00.001-05:002015-05-13T06:56:18.097-05:00Mother Son TimeToday I am joining in for "Mama's Tell All" with <a href="http://thatsouthernmama.blogspot.ca/2015/03/its-back-mamas-tell-all-link-up.html?m=1" target="_blank">That Southern Mama</a>. The topic is<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dating My Daughter/Son. </span></b></div>
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I always thought the idea of going on dates with your kids was weird, but then several years ago I was talking with a teen girl that babysat for us, and she explained how special the dates with her dad were. She said he likes to demonstrate how she should be treated by a man (i.e. respect, dignity, kindness, manners, etc.). I really liked that idea. So call it whatever you want, but I believe special one on one time with our children is critical.<br />
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Keep in mind this does not have to be anything extravagant. We are in a difficult place right now with J being in school full time and tight budget doesn't even begin to cover it. Even then I have managed to go out with Z a couple times a year and I can't say enough about what it has meant to both of us!<br />
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We didn't start this tradition until 2 years ago when he was in Kindergarten. Our first date was the <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2014/02/mother-son-date-knight.html" target="_blank">Chic-Fil-A mother son date knight</a> and I highly recommend registering for one of these events if you can find one in your area.<br />
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I have more information about that<a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/02/frugal-valentine-ideas.html" target="_blank"> HERE</a><a href="http://here./">.</a><br />
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Then last year we went to the <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2014/11/mother-son-nights.html" target="_blank">Mother Son Game Night </a>at Z's school, and it was an evening I will never ever forget.<br />
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We both dressed up in Western wear<br />
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and we played and competed as a team all night long.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">It was so special!</span></div>
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This year we participated in another Mother Son Date Knight at a different Chic-Fil-A and there were so many fun activities and freebies including the opportunity to take an oath of honor and be knighted by the royal cow.<br />
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Z voluntarily wanted to wear his bow tie and blazer that night. He was the best dressed kid there and several people dining or serving were sure to let him know about it.<br />
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Then back to the school for our next mother son time which was the Mother's Day Tea that I attended last Friday.<br />
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Can you tell we have a thing for matching? I do realize he will grow out of this, but for now I'll take it! Z served me my refreshments and as we chatted he gave me some crafts that he made and a book he wrote for me which was especially sweet!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what I have learned so far with the few dates that I have gone on with my son.</span></b><br />
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1. Of course you can come up with something personal for your night out, but in our case it has worked out to <b>do events that are already planned and prepared</b>. All we had to do was show up.<br />
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2. We are big Dave Ramsey Jr. people and so these outings are a great opportunity for kids to <b>learn how to be generous and responsible with their money</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF5DkQ7_QwLfQyGhUFHq0WvkCn12_swtBiEcPvmTkp2XQnCr9wUAR4v_6CVR6mVbnSDdaEQ0B0HeNCN9zYCDmoLybm8Ir0MRjL9_1jY7Y3wEqTPRpOZcM9STmtLvUqywqotXKLElQbACL/s1600/IMG_5712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF5DkQ7_QwLfQyGhUFHq0WvkCn12_swtBiEcPvmTkp2XQnCr9wUAR4v_6CVR6mVbnSDdaEQ0B0HeNCN9zYCDmoLybm8Ir0MRjL9_1jY7Y3wEqTPRpOZcM9STmtLvUqywqotXKLElQbACL/s320/IMG_5712.jpg" width="228" /></a><br />
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The Chic-Fil-A meals were all paid for with money that Z earned himself. Although, (just to keep it real) last time we went out I owed him some cash for the past 2 weeks. So I let him buy our meal with my debit card, but we had a big conversation about why a debit card is different than a credit card and that money would come straight out of his chore money. It worried me just how much he loved handling the Visa.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3MAhX7LAGjdGSwsyokV2tbO5gys4eKK9dtAKwp1AAidmhP-qFMBkAu2geTSQ-2yxEAw9jfJUolRKhi7AiLi6pw8Q7zA6V2MKDTVT4ywiVZ5clWsvWzmi2ClzIJzka4Sl3SsvdBBskoVv/s1600/IMG_4244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3MAhX7LAGjdGSwsyokV2tbO5gys4eKK9dtAKwp1AAidmhP-qFMBkAu2geTSQ-2yxEAw9jfJUolRKhi7AiLi6pw8Q7zA6V2MKDTVT4ywiVZ5clWsvWzmi2ClzIJzka4Sl3SsvdBBskoVv/s320/IMG_4244.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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3. Of course you can start date nights at any age! For me it has just happened to work out to <b>start scheduling dates very intentionally at school age</b>. As a stay at home mom, this worked out perfect because until Z was in school I was with him all the time and got to do special activities on a more regular basis anyway.<br />
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4. Lastly, I have learned that <b>these times of connection where you have the opportunity to really focus your undivided attention on your child as an individual is priceless! </b>I can't wait for the next mother son date with Z.<br />
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<a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/the-new-messy-mom-launch-party.html" target="_blank">The [New] Messy Mom Launch Party</a> is still in full swing. Check out the links below to catch up on all that is happening!</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-welcome-video-messymommovie.html" target="_blank">Welcome Video</a></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Starbucks Card Giveaway</a></div>
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3. <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/look-back-and-laugh.html" target="_blank">Invitation to a a Weekly Link-Up</a></div>
<br />Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-79621855486019203812015-05-12T17:17:00.001-05:002015-05-12T17:58:06.279-05:00Look Back and Laugh <div class="MsoNormal">
One of the fun things about doing some “house keeping”
around here in preparation for this blog relaunch was that I
got to see all of my old posts in a new light. In some ways I could not believe
how much has changed, but I was also very much encouraged to see that the
purpose and the inspiration behind Messy Mom has remained consistent since the
original launch in 2008. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Back then I wrote a weekly post on Tuesdays called “Look Back and Laugh” and I
shared a funny or embarrassing memory. I stopped doing
these<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>posts shortly after SJ was born and life got hectic. I’ve still always liked the idea of taking those humiliating or awkward stories and
turning them into something that later can be conversation starters. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I’m bringing it back! Along with all the new things
coming to Messy Mom this week I am going back to my roots and implementing some
old stuff too! <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is with great enthusiasm that I can officially announce
that the Messy Mom will be hosting a weekly link-up party. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5guPSxGsWeg0KBgN46Gjr9LCh9TtXS9wkiiyVcEfVXjapJHNYTM7FDAK996c5q9yT2t4W0BNl4yUe8N-7vqpObtbIxCQRKnuHKGp2zlRqbmwEIn5VpbWoaPf-4_yMedZBET9m9jWxrWlf/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5guPSxGsWeg0KBgN46Gjr9LCh9TtXS9wkiiyVcEfVXjapJHNYTM7FDAK996c5q9yT2t4W0BNl4yUe8N-7vqpObtbIxCQRKnuHKGp2zlRqbmwEIn5VpbWoaPf-4_yMedZBET9m9jWxrWlf/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Every Tuesday morning I will be sharing a funny story from my life and I
would LOVE it if all of you other bloggers would join me. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Your post can be old or new and your memory could be from yesterday or when you were 6 years old</b> as long as it's family friendly that's all I ask. Please don’t stress out about whether your story fits in or that it has to leave us all rolling on the floor laughing. <i><b>Look Back and Laugh Link-up</b></i> is really just a chance to
break away from all the troubling news, political disagreements, guilt trips, or mommy
wars and just take <b>a lighthearted look at life</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I know for me I have plenty of blunders to choose from so even if no one joins in the link up I will be posting something (probably embarrassing) EVERY
Tuesday. I do hope that you will join in the fun though, because I will be reading
every link and I promise I will be laughing with you, NOT at you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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See you this Tuesday May 19 for the first...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>LOOK BACK AND LAUGH LINK-UP</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied0XUq4jMhSj_REK7pQqz_XFIZxl4cowufuf265RawTDhwaA_G3JeFYOTs7iH1FaRNX6y2bMmrILF-tRG6FlMHj3y4bt-V4JU7KSdnlZbuoRMODHV3RiGkfEBkvLqAZr3MGjpIeMHz9ao/s1600/launchgraphic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied0XUq4jMhSj_REK7pQqz_XFIZxl4cowufuf265RawTDhwaA_G3JeFYOTs7iH1FaRNX6y2bMmrILF-tRG6FlMHj3y4bt-V4JU7KSdnlZbuoRMODHV3RiGkfEBkvLqAZr3MGjpIeMHz9ao/s320/launchgraphic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>This post is a part of <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/the-new-messy-mom-launch-party.html" target="_blank">[The New] Messy Mom Launch Party</a> which will be going on all week long leading up to my new site launch this weekend. Check out the welcome video <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-welcome-video-messymommovie.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and be sure to enter the giveaway for a Starbucks card <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/05/messy-mom-giveaway.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </b></div>
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<b> </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-47918476687759690332015-05-10T20:02:00.001-05:002015-05-10T20:45:41.396-05:00Messy Mom Welcome Video (#messymommovie)I've been anticipating this day for months and dreaming it up for years! I wanted to make a welcome video for my blog. I saw it as a way to really connect with my readers and get to talk to each person that visits my site on a personal level, the way I would if you were to come to my home, or catch me after church, or chat with me on the phone. The thing about any of these real life scenarios is that we would inevitably be interrupted.<br />
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Thus the inspiration for this little clip. So without further ado I am stoked to finally reveal the #messymommovie.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ZmG-Blb7Qs" width="560"></iframe><br />
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A huge thank you to my brother Brandon Weaver for producing this film. He is so generous to have put all of this together. A shout out to the crew behind the scenes; Kayleigh Hornsby, Lindsey Weaver, and Stephany Mendia. I also have to give credit to my husband and kids for participating. I am just blessed beyond words for all of them. This was a dream come true for me.<br />
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On top of the video premiere I am also excited to announce that this is just the beginning! I am not a vlogger by any means, but I do want to put out a few videos here and there each year. Which is why I have started (drum roll please...)<br />
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<b>The Messy Mom Youtube channel!</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfKgwUtISgKJufoYpMSxjrg" target="_blank">You'll want to subscribe</a> so that you know when new stuff gets uploaded. My channel is <a href="http://youtube.com/Messymomblog">Youtube.com/Messymomblog</a> . Go. Subscribe. Give my video a thumbs up and then come back here tomorrow for Day two of the launch party when I kick off my first giveaway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnz11G_X5b7n3NlmTqF6gt7QjeyXRWtQyrKMAH1bRiM23WeWoAGinLYLxGNyVyJntkhBt747-Qzk_RqAbG3DWtRv4A21pat-EjJK1becVwoHD-a_Kexjj-iH10lTFPwLA1JAXaJ69RpSp/s1600/launchgraphic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnz11G_X5b7n3NlmTqF6gt7QjeyXRWtQyrKMAH1bRiM23WeWoAGinLYLxGNyVyJntkhBt747-Qzk_RqAbG3DWtRv4A21pat-EjJK1becVwoHD-a_Kexjj-iH10lTFPwLA1JAXaJ69RpSp/s320/launchgraphic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Party on! </b></div>
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Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-10966159586314226772015-05-09T23:14:00.000-05:002015-05-09T23:14:11.594-05:00[The New] Messy Mom LAUNCH PARTY!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's here. It's here. It's finally here! Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely mamacitas out there and WELCOME to the [NEW] Messy Mom Launch party!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33b5ZVLobMiQ5A0LY_pTtmZk_lAxI26G8mcBzNoqCVEKIBztEOmOZKkcoGUGZwDETKNnh4-3qmYu-ZHUFreuhL6po217Mm8EIYV9FkHdH2OY1lSBeZrwVf7-ECaym6chLO6IEG4hNfgfK/s1600/launchgraphic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33b5ZVLobMiQ5A0LY_pTtmZk_lAxI26G8mcBzNoqCVEKIBztEOmOZKkcoGUGZwDETKNnh4-3qmYu-ZHUFreuhL6po217Mm8EIYV9FkHdH2OY1lSBeZrwVf7-ECaym6chLO6IEG4hNfgfK/s640/launchgraphic2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to give you a little bit of a schedule for what's happening this week so that hopefully it will make sense when it all rolls out.<br />
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SUNDAY- The Messy Mom Movie Premiere<br />
Okay, <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/04/messy-mom-movie.html" target="_blank">this should still be on track to happen today</a>, but it might be at let's say 11:59 pm. Everything I say is subject to change (wink wink).<br />
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MONDAY- My First Messy Mom Giveaway <br />
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TUESDAY- The Messy Mom Link Up Reveal<br />
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WEDNESDAY- Traditional Post<br />
Tuesday I will be hosting a link up, but Wednesday I will be participating in one. This was already on my calendar, so it doesn't necessarily go with the party, but it still sets the stage for what kind of content will continued to be featured on Messy Mom. <br />
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THURSDAY- A Special Announcement<br />
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FRIDAY- More Announcements<br />
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SATURDAY- The New Website<br />
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So I am still keeping a lot of secrets, but that gives you a bit of a preview. Basically this is the week I am just going for it! I pushed the deadline for the conversion to WordPress to the end of the week in hopes that it gives my husband enough time to get everything done for the grand finale. I know this Word Press/Self hosting stuff doesn't mean a lot to the non-blogging readers, but trust me, it's a big deal.<br />
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I've been blogging for a long time now and over the past few months I have been working hard along with <strike>my family </strike> an official team of experts to take Messy Mom to the next level. This is my chance to get this blog off the ground. That's what launching is all about right? The idea that Messy Mom will be a little bit more of a brand, a business, a part time job. Don't worry, the integrity and purpose of this blog is safe with me. Messy Mom means way too much to me to just gamble it away. Over all I am just going to be doing the same thing I've been doing, but with a little more purpose, and if it also brings in some revenue for my family then that's awesome, because we could use it.<br />
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So that is the gist of what the [The New] Messy Mom is all about. The name and the identity behind my blog will stay the exact same as it has been over the past 7 years. I will just be implementing some new ideas, some of which are really old ideas that I have been dreaming of for a very long time.<br />
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More to come my friends. Stay tuned. </div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-35372872409332600412015-05-08T13:22:00.000-05:002015-05-08T13:22:24.417-05:00Things to ComeIt's been another silent week here at MessyMom.com. Lots of end of the school year happenings and some other stuff that I'll be sharing more about next week. In fact I'll be making up for lost time by blogging every single day starting this Sunday!<br />
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I am wanting the week of Mother's Day to be the launch party for <b>The NEW Messy Mom</b>. The thing is, I am so nervous about having everything unfold smoothly. I don't know if the new website will be finished by the end of next week or not. It's been a ton of work. There is so much that could go wrong at this point, but I am stretching my muscles and will be getting a running start as I jump into the deep end of blogging. All I can say is expect the unexpected (such as delays, technical difficulties, emergencies, mass confusion etc.).<br />
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I'll have more blog reveal details next week, but for now I did want to mention one minor personal update.<br />
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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/AVvXsEjeC5PoHcTndjae6eNwahzzS6O9wJd-awv1tOzZykfW4A4qMZbn8EOivWluhpXvWPJ65PwYrIu0FwGC2L82-DwyH9mkIiru2YQyskmq-4nDG0HJa1HuMc74xleMqf4bBtG7Lab6vr11duN3/s1600/IMG_1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC5PoHcTndjae6eNwahzzS6O9wJd-awv1tOzZykfW4A4qMZbn8EOivWluhpXvWPJ65PwYrIu0FwGC2L82-DwyH9mkIiru2YQyskmq-4nDG0HJa1HuMc74xleMqf4bBtG7Lab6vr11duN3/s400/IMG_1912.jpg" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An outtake from the photos that were taken for the new profile pic.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Some of you know I have dealt with a lot of issues with my left ear. I have a constant ringing in that ear along with difficulty hearing. I also sometimes experience episodes of vertigo. It's something I have dealt with for 12 years and has gotten progressively worse. Keep in mind what I deal with is completely unrelated to SJ's hearing loss. I diagnosed myself 2 years ago after extensive google research. I wrote all about Meniere's Disease and why I think I have it <b><a href="http://www.messymom.com/2013/05/i-have-menieres-disease.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
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Although the vertigo hasn't been much of an issue, the hearing loss has started to dramatically interfere with my life. I mishear words all the time. If I am in a noisy environment where someone is trying to talk to me you can pretty much forget it. I won't be able to hear anything unless it is spoken close to my right side. J has especially noticed it and was the one to insist on me going to the Doctor. I mention in <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2013/05/i-have-menieres-disease.html" target="_blank">that other post </a>about how I did go to the Doctor about this issue, but that was 10 years ago and the Doctor I saw wasn't at all helpful. I didn't keep records or seek a second opinion. I didn't know what questions to ask. Now that I am in my 30's and have a daughter with hearing loss I feel a lot more equipped to get to the bottom of this.<br />
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I saw my general practitioner on Tuesday. He's not an ear Doctor so there isn't much new information there, but on Monday I will see an Audiologist so hopefully I will know more by then.<br />
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That's my little update. Next time I get on here it will be to kick off the launch party. Definitely come back then!Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-3156422342860634752015-05-01T11:58:00.000-05:002015-05-01T11:58:07.973-05:00Mothers Are Like Clocks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Long ago, before we even had children we bought this large clock for our kitchen. It actually set itself automatically and changed when the time changes twice a year. It was just a simple analog clock, so I never did figure out how it could adjust the time like magic, but it was faithful to do so.<br />
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The clock moved from Texas, to Kentucky, and finally Ohio where it adorned our kitchen once more. It wasn't the cutest or trendiest home decor item but it had an important purpose. Our son even learned how to tell time the old fashioned way thanks to that clock. I'll admit that it had gradually sped up over the years to the point that I knew it wasn't perfectly accurate, but it still helped me stay on schedule. It just kept faithfully ticking away.<br />
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That was until recently when the clock stopped.<br />
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I thought it was 12:55 pm for two hours before I realized what happened. I panicked and rushed out the door to pick up my kids from school.<i> </i>When I returned home I immediately went to change the batteries. The problem is that it still didn't work. We tried different batteries. We tried reseting it. Even the <i>fixer</i> of our family couldn't revive it. So we had to face the fact that after ten years of service to our family the clock had come to the end of it's life.<br />
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Time of death? Unknown.<br />
Bad joke. Sorry.<br />
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Anyway, into the trash it went and about a week passed by without the clock hanging on the wall. Even despite our phones, computers, and other various digital clocks I had relied on that one for so long that I thought I would loose my mind if it wasn't replaced soon. I looked up at that blank spot on the wall probably 20 times a day. I expected to see the time only to be repeatedly disappointed. I feel lost when I don't know what time it is.<br />
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Today we finally replaced the clock and life can proceed as normal.<br />
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With mother's day around the corner this got me thinking. Moms are a lot like clocks. As a child you rely on your mother to keep time, to get you where you need to go, to maintain a steady rhythm, to be there to keep the machine running non stop... like clock work! Then one day you grow up and enter adulthood and you realize just how much you looked up to your mom. It's in hindsight that you can fully appreciate the depth of what she did for you.<br />
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When I think about my old clock I see so many parallels to my mother.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbrVhGhihkbzssfv57_Jyw8DJ15GizeYTzgqaz6WggJkrwWB-pyB0CjCc3BInp7LxSmIRMmIgIRUiNL9LUG3dFzYN_chlzMBdgTuX3wHlVbwofWuL2VXv318ZZpU2fOR4aVGhLKFtJJO/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbrVhGhihkbzssfv57_Jyw8DJ15GizeYTzgqaz6WggJkrwWB-pyB0CjCc3BInp7LxSmIRMmIgIRUiNL9LUG3dFzYN_chlzMBdgTuX3wHlVbwofWuL2VXv318ZZpU2fOR4aVGhLKFtJJO/s1600/mom.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't know how she did it all- all the time, but it happened. Like magic. And if sometimes her timing wasn't perfect it didn't matter because she got the job done. She served our family faithfully. She was committed every second, minute, and hour of every day. Her purpose was and is invaluable.<br />
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She taught me how to cherish the time.<br />
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So this is f<span style="text-align: center;">or all the mother's out there that are constantly running. To the moms that are a source of reliability and consistency for their families, and those who are trying to embrace every moment as time marches on. Your role in your family is obviously deeper and more intimate than any old clock, but maybe next time you look at the time you can think about the bigger picture because whether you feel it or not, I can assure you that you are appreciated.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Happy Mother's Day.</span></b></div>
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<br />Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-67792745115834601342015-04-30T10:06:00.000-05:002015-04-30T10:14:05.819-05:00#WhatIsGoingOnInThisPicture TWO<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe that today is the last day of April! It really did sneak up on me and I almost missed April's edition of <i><a href="http://www.messymom.com/search?q=what+is+going+on+in+this+picture" target="_blank">What Is Going On In This Picture!? </a></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7-u4Dh7p8ToM7OX3drTkBpf97BneiCz_Kw9XDHvJS9ZDbyQ3WVU53cytraUZveX_Q8EB79NNqKECEPEZsrg1tg8zX7B-kGXlruKlxMWx3Y3OUQDC_3kBtibtTryTLDEL8vlFlvko7gB0/s1600/What+is+going+on+in+this+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7-u4Dh7p8ToM7OX3drTkBpf97BneiCz_Kw9XDHvJS9ZDbyQ3WVU53cytraUZveX_Q8EB79NNqKECEPEZsrg1tg8zX7B-kGXlruKlxMWx3Y3OUQDC_3kBtibtTryTLDEL8vlFlvko7gB0/s1600/What+is+going+on+in+this+picture.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The idea behind the series is to pull random photos from you phone camera that could potentially need a bit of an explanation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a couple more of my own silly moments to share with you, and as promised this time I am taking submissions from my readers. I was so happy with the feedback from last month. I went back through some of the ones you all sent me or tagged me in and it was so hard to choose! I got a great laugh out of all them! I'll be doing this again next month and posting more so please keep 'em coming.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ONE</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4P7-lI2j2WDzQlsrhQZGKfj-7Usm9a_n6NazjrdUOlKE0VYvAeNvFOui6Nmn1Ro2ci89091t9bjZQhLTiKZWpb6bfMGeQG5lbvYPImjn25TpR1DSDhFXtP6b6sqtsZC2FRjVZrrlOcg_/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4P7-lI2j2WDzQlsrhQZGKfj-7Usm9a_n6NazjrdUOlKE0VYvAeNvFOui6Nmn1Ro2ci89091t9bjZQhLTiKZWpb6bfMGeQG5lbvYPImjn25TpR1DSDhFXtP6b6sqtsZC2FRjVZrrlOcg_/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SJ got this bunny sweatshirt for Christmas and it zips all the way up. She was very enthusiastic to get in character when she met the Easter bunny at the Library. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">TWO</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB7uo6bliRNjAvY5KIzj9NdSxRPXPvs5lde954lyh0ZBWOwpUrm3QlqI5QoE04UNdRluzby_Bjlx4m-y7Mbq8REqtGsOva3oEiYKc6zKYs6g3ApfOlQq7djJl3iDIQFi87DRFnkD_8zt0/s1600/IMG_8977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB7uo6bliRNjAvY5KIzj9NdSxRPXPvs5lde954lyh0ZBWOwpUrm3QlqI5QoE04UNdRluzby_Bjlx4m-y7Mbq8REqtGsOva3oEiYKc6zKYs6g3ApfOlQq7djJl3iDIQFi87DRFnkD_8zt0/s1600/IMG_8977.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">This one definitely needs an explanation. My waffle iron automatically heats up when you plug it in. So when I opened up to pour in the waffle mix I found the Joker melted to the top half of the waffle iron! Luckily the non stick surface cleaned up pretty easily. As for The Joker, he had it coming. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THREE</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ25D5UoI7Kfrq7F8E0Hrcg_qryOrB_f52jxlkSEB7_FxssGMMMNnBd8OznKG__UZ-J2LlUygky_CNSjprkWvOGE0JYwKQywGB9BSGc9SwzNcq10COfPqV_K4DkpspNQayjmf83rLJOhi/s1600/11102940_10206395719282289_4517765458545438337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ25D5UoI7Kfrq7F8E0Hrcg_qryOrB_f52jxlkSEB7_FxssGMMMNnBd8OznKG__UZ-J2LlUygky_CNSjprkWvOGE0JYwKQywGB9BSGc9SwzNcq10COfPqV_K4DkpspNQayjmf83rLJOhi/s1600/11102940_10206395719282289_4517765458545438337_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one is from Angie Keith in Northern Kentucky. </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Look mom. I made some new friends!" </span></b></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FOUR </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCU-18kkHqeGbBnjhMZi1LUgcLOTBXRMB2d6Vh4uJhYFSw9HB15ZU7fpJpUQLowrTs5OOoYhGeXjGutK6w8d-ICd7xFxHIeDgelTw6deGb16tgxiaythTBWM9LsucgVEU7uYZy8Nl_V0f/s1600/11133757_10152808424792081_8008475360315466490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCU-18kkHqeGbBnjhMZi1LUgcLOTBXRMB2d6Vh4uJhYFSw9HB15ZU7fpJpUQLowrTs5OOoYhGeXjGutK6w8d-ICd7xFxHIeDgelTw6deGb16tgxiaythTBWM9LsucgVEU7uYZy8Nl_V0f/s1600/11133757_10152808424792081_8008475360315466490_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maria Meyer, also from Northern Kentucky, sent me this one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She said after being repeatedly asked to zip him up she thought, <i>sure why not</i>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FIVE</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJNG4csuKsgdZkffyzMtp0TnAYRuUfZfflVmNpaaesL4wJSNdrLoNsJdaVPcGsrGixi6mtP_i22Z8cvfafgD-dZeytT3bT35z3CuElNpTGgpD2uYbIbI3pmn6qqeprtWH5fw3Gco4yQn8/s1600/22616_10100238314428031_4330575493897810705_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJNG4csuKsgdZkffyzMtp0TnAYRuUfZfflVmNpaaesL4wJSNdrLoNsJdaVPcGsrGixi6mtP_i22Z8cvfafgD-dZeytT3bT35z3CuElNpTGgpD2uYbIbI3pmn6qqeprtWH5fw3Gco4yQn8/s1600/22616_10100238314428031_4330575493897810705_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">This one is from Rosemary Fleming all the way from New Zealand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Everything was fine until her husband started moving furniture around. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Now they have a broken home! Her husband promised he would fix it, but she said she would always know that he fractured their home! To which she received an eye roll. Luckily, their family is doing great, but I love the play on words! That's totally something I would do. </span></div>
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Alright now it's your turn! Post your funny phone outtakes on instagram along with the hashtag #whatisgoingoninthispicture. That is not a one of kind hashtag, but if you tag @messymom I'll know what it's about. If you don't have Instagram feel free to share with me on Facebook, Twitter, or via email. If yours is chosen I will give you a shout at the end of May when we do another round of <b>#WhatIsGoingOnInThisPicture? </b></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-4464624726988629752015-04-28T10:23:00.001-05:002015-04-28T10:29:10.159-05:00Are Breasts the New Shoulders? I've seen a lot of children/family movies lately where some of the women looked like they got their sexy wardrobes from a Bond girl. Seeing cleavage everywhere is nothing new, but it seems to be getting more prominent and mainstream everyday. Don't even get me started on swimsuits. When I am talking to a woman whose breasts appear to be coming up for air, I try to think like a good ol boy. <i>Don't gawk. Look at her face. Be respectful.</i> Unlike with men, it's not because I'm stimulated by all that skin. It's because some girls have their "girls" pushed up so high and their necklines so low that it really is an art form how they even manage to keep their nipples covered. Sorry to be so descriptive.<br />
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For years I have tried to ignore this. I don't want to be judgmental or legalistic. I was hoping that eventually I would just get used to it. Surely once we see enough boobs we'll all be desensitized and we won't even notice them anymore. </div>
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Being as open and objective as I possibly can, I tried to compare cleavage to going sleeveless.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIaYEfFCovYWLUAdg2lycuSNgBYYgw2z7x6gqI59yHqKWVpFQs62SWiWfZzm3Ik5zallaaQWQf3X_wfN0UjPbbQkNEbWiuP-1nQ3g95AxK1Is8nA04R2Ll9o1BoApiJoUcygnr830HhgH/s1600/Shoulders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIaYEfFCovYWLUAdg2lycuSNgBYYgw2z7x6gqI59yHqKWVpFQs62SWiWfZzm3Ik5zallaaQWQf3X_wfN0UjPbbQkNEbWiuP-1nQ3g95AxK1Is8nA04R2Ll9o1BoApiJoUcygnr830HhgH/s1600/Shoulders.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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Not that long ago showing your shoulders used to be scandalous. My mother in law told me about a time her daughters were scheduled to sing a gospel song at church, but one of them had a sleeveless dress and so it was considered inappropriate for them to be on the platform and they were turned away. Pants used to be immodest as well and there are still plenty of cultures and religions where some of these practices are still in place, but it's certainly not the norm. </div>
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So maybe that's how it is with cleavage now. It's something that used to be a big deal, but now it's not. There are modest ways to expose your breasts and I just need to embrace change. </div>
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Except I don't buy that. To me it's still a big deal. Keep in mind this is my personal conviction and opinion as a christian woman.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I have decided that breasts are not the same as shoulders. </span></b><br />
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People don't get shoulder implants. There aren't restaurants named after women's shoulders (ahem Hooters). Women don't sustain a newborn life with their shoulders. Children and men have shoulders, but they do not have mammary glands. I know those are weird examples, but what I am trying to get at is that <b><span style="font-size: large;">breasts are still sacred in my book</span></b>. It's not just the nipples, I'm talking about the whole organ. <a href="http://www.medicalook.com/human_anatomy/organs/Mammary_glands.html" target="_blank">Medicalook </a>explains "<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">The glands are associated with the female reproductive system</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"> in part due to their assistance in attracting a mate as well as their role in nourishing a baby." In other words from a scientific standpoint female breast are not sexual organs, but they are largely associated with sexuality because they are in some ways part of reproduction. No matter how much we try to normalize it breasts are sexual and cleavage is provocative. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">There are so many different lines that can be drawn when it comes to cleavage and it's not a one size fits all issue (literally). My well endowed friends know what I'm talking about. This isn't about shaming women for having curves. It's about loving our curves enough to have some dignity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">I wear what I feel comfortable wearing. I went through a season where I beat myself up about the issue of modesty. Everyday I would </span><i style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">obsess </i><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">about every detail of my jeans, shirt, or dress and whether or not it could be something that would be a trigger for a man. This was bondage I had because of my past which I have thankfully been delivered from. I still want to dress modestly, but I feel like it's a who I am as a transformed and renewed daughter of the King not because of a modesty checklist. That's another topic entirely, but </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">I just want to be clear that this isn't me looking down on other women because of how they dress. It's simply the stance I take for myself and the message I want to send to my daughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">I am not ready to just accept that breast are the new shoulders. It's such a lovely, complicated, mysterious part of the body and I don't want to exploit that. I want my daughter to know that unlike what you see on TV you can be beautiful, elegant, and feminine without having your breast on display. That's where I stand. </span></span></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-19974695267031558012015-04-24T12:21:00.002-05:002015-04-24T12:21:47.908-05:00Paper Bag MasksI don't know about where you live, but it's been cold and wet here. J brought home some paper bags not that long ago that he thought the kids could make masks out of. It was snowy at the time that we did this activity, but it occurred to me that's also perfect for rainy indoor fun year round.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUq8EqHaRA41JuVzFRHsLM7GfvPadHOcN5P0VK5JMuCL7-C9Pn2_wdJq2JRkp7B_PKZxUmzIupibzJXOE6lctiyTi1MTJ_RGx4vIntTn3OA6cFp9RW0yOBV8NS147G-VJZzzgAmactVRs/s1600/IMG_7726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUq8EqHaRA41JuVzFRHsLM7GfvPadHOcN5P0VK5JMuCL7-C9Pn2_wdJq2JRkp7B_PKZxUmzIupibzJXOE6lctiyTi1MTJ_RGx4vIntTn3OA6cFp9RW0yOBV8NS147G-VJZzzgAmactVRs/s1600/IMG_7726.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></div>
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You've probably seen this craft before, or maybe remember it from your childhood. It's not the latest thing, but it was new to the kids and they had a blast!<br />
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We decorated brown grocery store bags with paint (and some stick on circles that we had on hand) and cut out spaces for the eyes and shoulders. It's a little bit messy if you decide to use paint, but it really couldn't be any simpler.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCKfVWA6dd8Lkg1q7FQxo7HFEpXb6EZHcTAmmibECrRIifsyihOU9DDpTw4e9mXebyTlSg2UEL8r_dd19_TQEhCeLiK7b3dbb7EKf8kqftVaoaPcI7B_Y4o3cHp_JSIVgEfhRchExu8R6/s1600/IMG_7637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCKfVWA6dd8Lkg1q7FQxo7HFEpXb6EZHcTAmmibECrRIifsyihOU9DDpTw4e9mXebyTlSg2UEL8r_dd19_TQEhCeLiK7b3dbb7EKf8kqftVaoaPcI7B_Y4o3cHp_JSIVgEfhRchExu8R6/s1600/IMG_7637.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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My over achieving seven year old wowed us when he decided to cut the circles I gave him for eyes and turn them into ears for his tiger creation. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMg4-lvD7fasDSltQtSkg1X7ywdiY3R_U2HBk1ZceC_t353tcAnui_vIOo1omdusL8PGzrSvhegcvtOjmsCdUm65dsILCtG22khknBncByd2FwFM0LxhH5feJTC-2oTS_uoGp92OMlJkR2/s1600/IMG_7656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMg4-lvD7fasDSltQtSkg1X7ywdiY3R_U2HBk1ZceC_t353tcAnui_vIOo1omdusL8PGzrSvhegcvtOjmsCdUm65dsILCtG22khknBncByd2FwFM0LxhH5feJTC-2oTS_uoGp92OMlJkR2/s1600/IMG_7656.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other two kids were a little more uh... eccentric with their techniques. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFPCWYihAOPcZaGeERzT2Cex8sSxAo2hN7-d9FrqmeZ60chd6MG-BR-vDhtjWBCoppdS1hq-Tv-AHE9r2oiqBTA9JAqAPb0Zpc4QIByrSg3ABl_G2SQZtAtWC_xL5LKRWVB4V6WLWsmZI/s1600/IMG_7659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFPCWYihAOPcZaGeERzT2Cex8sSxAo2hN7-d9FrqmeZ60chd6MG-BR-vDhtjWBCoppdS1hq-Tv-AHE9r2oiqBTA9JAqAPb0Zpc4QIByrSg3ABl_G2SQZtAtWC_xL5LKRWVB4V6WLWsmZI/s1600/IMG_7659.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfcBBX_HEJWiFtZGo8cpf1IS04n_iyz1KzZrwdX4GbCqLFoLlXu161e8AnkUUKG5YhCyR2zxzAXUwC5UbcTnh4B6RmPtwTEXe48mAHxJGRE9SgDgHlWnNFmcWPals6DX89HlSQJzc8tfo/s1600/IMG_7663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfcBBX_HEJWiFtZGo8cpf1IS04n_iyz1KzZrwdX4GbCqLFoLlXu161e8AnkUUKG5YhCyR2zxzAXUwC5UbcTnh4B6RmPtwTEXe48mAHxJGRE9SgDgHlWnNFmcWPals6DX89HlSQJzc8tfo/s1600/IMG_7663.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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In fact they were so heavy handed with the paint we ended up blowing drying the bags so that they could wear them that night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uq6j5NkirUl23Qcw4ov4d0d8ySUWCoeNj94yy8_X5w37MO132n19mwQthGiIVLt30mk1gcqOAEQFkJMZtBB-hWLCV_AyY_96m2ZXPxjackWrS8D1N3dLE1c-V1lIadHfV4ZEC_qtWzE8/s1600/IMG_7679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uq6j5NkirUl23Qcw4ov4d0d8ySUWCoeNj94yy8_X5w37MO132n19mwQthGiIVLt30mk1gcqOAEQFkJMZtBB-hWLCV_AyY_96m2ZXPxjackWrS8D1N3dLE1c-V1lIadHfV4ZEC_qtWzE8/s1600/IMG_7679.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Z eventually finished up (both front and back) using a mixed media approach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP4IYUJaiGBSpIl7Ga0Dmp5xIlM169wQPMvMLfGqE_jX-cOMTRfUZDUpnZ2oH9jAVMMBa_IhMqKizcSyWQxgdcueHcagt1kcWD-MdgoW150sF09Tx5aW2JJ3Db1oRP9cn7LBSsHWRIna-/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP4IYUJaiGBSpIl7Ga0Dmp5xIlM169wQPMvMLfGqE_jX-cOMTRfUZDUpnZ2oH9jAVMMBa_IhMqKizcSyWQxgdcueHcagt1kcWD-MdgoW150sF09Tx5aW2JJ3Db1oRP9cn7LBSsHWRIna-/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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When I posted these on Facebook I had someone ask where we found plain paper bags. Of course you can get paper bags anywhere, but they often have print on both sides. In this case we went to Meijer (a midwestern grocery store). I'm sure you can find them other places too though if you are on the look out. </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/AVvXsEhPu2U-FAc4zOy8QUes8SEMjRNYZxsFhONIifdRhGfBq39g25hXvhZbpXVLlICxp5g_UI_UsYi-Y8yVza_Iu4tF4JgeLiYfmyBs_IRs8JbNCjJ26JfTReS6xpH5IwExYB4JISLNHApxUsTv/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu2U-FAc4zOy8QUes8SEMjRNYZxsFhONIifdRhGfBq39g25hXvhZbpXVLlICxp5g_UI_UsYi-Y8yVza_Iu4tF4JgeLiYfmyBs_IRs8JbNCjJ26JfTReS6xpH5IwExYB4JISLNHApxUsTv/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You can see the snow on the porch!</i><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Next time we do this project I will definitely be more strategic with where I put the eye holes. The poor things were peaking out of one side the whole time.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLALykWV08AEv3s3uOQB_5YGDYcsePlhE9ZcN0p-aQoQZJ1xK-AhP7RVs1Y0CNGqpG6_iWtmQzzekP5ocTVS28gVSTylORgEAEGI_OhG8h3k39nXwO8oOxrhBnNwgsE8AKqMIN0jhyphenhyphenJHp0/s1600/IMG_7743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLALykWV08AEv3s3uOQB_5YGDYcsePlhE9ZcN0p-aQoQZJ1xK-AhP7RVs1Y0CNGqpG6_iWtmQzzekP5ocTVS28gVSTylORgEAEGI_OhG8h3k39nXwO8oOxrhBnNwgsE8AKqMIN0jhyphenhyphenJHp0/s1600/IMG_7743.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxdVg0gCpt7mRjVFSsV3KLAEILNFu_Q8bpjDR2F-rf4Kay-3bTTT2CFX4lbcIt_ZqLu3JCTBDxQf1C4y7qvrpUPbbzTUi8i3mVv3LpWZii9LMj6nDWhsq-qcrulyA5Rn-CqFZ3jr3VEVX/s1600/IMG_7728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxdVg0gCpt7mRjVFSsV3KLAEILNFu_Q8bpjDR2F-rf4Kay-3bTTT2CFX4lbcIt_ZqLu3JCTBDxQf1C4y7qvrpUPbbzTUi8i3mVv3LpWZii9LMj6nDWhsq-qcrulyA5Rn-CqFZ3jr3VEVX/s1600/IMG_7728.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Z's turned out so great. He did it all on his own too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAeYJFeksipSBwvimx2d6t92_y7P_JNW_EXxL2IvtQcoFVcvn1UyddgSAIu0c4nvgBkEq3o6ntLC39zXV4iFT00x-r-JunH_DXiPyU6Sd1F5RHS7aBxo8gzfDSdfnUWujJQHQvTQcBYve/s1600/IMG_7754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAeYJFeksipSBwvimx2d6t92_y7P_JNW_EXxL2IvtQcoFVcvn1UyddgSAIu0c4nvgBkEq3o6ntLC39zXV4iFT00x-r-JunH_DXiPyU6Sd1F5RHS7aBxo8gzfDSdfnUWujJQHQvTQcBYve/s1600/IMG_7754.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgc_3WHFTARNWqRsTK377NHA_YCJ1qVMAqhylya6KpAIIEZ0XfLfwAjlkOC4CZim3z2H5H6bgcgA6bR5OiUQ4MS08EC9mYsJfbKEetx_qiIKGSZi_iUg0fXQhNpONGi3eoLtp_YVJqYNp/s1600/IMG_7734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgc_3WHFTARNWqRsTK377NHA_YCJ1qVMAqhylya6KpAIIEZ0XfLfwAjlkOC4CZim3z2H5H6bgcgA6bR5OiUQ4MS08EC9mYsJfbKEetx_qiIKGSZi_iUg0fXQhNpONGi3eoLtp_YVJqYNp/s1600/IMG_7734.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSD5NnqMD-AFAVnf9BFOyJ7I-qIKIGosJXaut0LNumqCK2nLqFfRUi-jqxwZZxSqw9lTDcNAwnQtHWRne6BmkCYiNFc7S_Jhfp3bkAVktPExIsc_A77CNUVKWBk-YLOAWU6HAy2u5CRmK/s1600/IMG_7758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSD5NnqMD-AFAVnf9BFOyJ7I-qIKIGosJXaut0LNumqCK2nLqFfRUi-jqxwZZxSqw9lTDcNAwnQtHWRne6BmkCYiNFc7S_Jhfp3bkAVktPExIsc_A77CNUVKWBk-YLOAWU6HAy2u5CRmK/s1600/IMG_7758.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cool thing is it isn't just one time use. The bags fold up for easy storage and then you can pull them out for endless fun whenever you want! </div>
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Hooray for paper bags! </div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-41075280602531825012015-04-20T16:40:00.000-05:002015-04-20T16:40:15.057-05:00Family UpdateIt's been a week since I have blogged! I would love to say the silence has been due to preparation for the great big <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/04/coming-this-mothers-day.html" target="_blank">Messy Mom blog party happening on May 10th</a>, but I haven't even had a chance to work on any of that because life has been really intense lately.<br />
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<b>Here is some of what has been happening. </b></div>
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My photography business took a back seat for all of January and February. Things tend to slow down for on location photographers when it's freezing cold outside. Now that the flowers are blooming and prom/graduations and weddings are happening I am back in business.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R4JJtcpFtXZ1aZJ2j_-UbaZX_XWEcNkOh1v8y-6hoz82iCMJcRx5nvTVeUp6bVPCRDHNf1y6MNgB0y69lls6FVEDBbB0B_s_ttwprxE9Da6b2lmOer8sCJyAVoS6Mt6oMZvdh_nc6cZD/s1600/1798972_357742931087946_3649263536083706429_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R4JJtcpFtXZ1aZJ2j_-UbaZX_XWEcNkOh1v8y-6hoz82iCMJcRx5nvTVeUp6bVPCRDHNf1y6MNgB0y69lls6FVEDBbB0B_s_ttwprxE9Da6b2lmOer8sCJyAVoS6Mt6oMZvdh_nc6cZD/s1600/1798972_357742931087946_3649263536083706429_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiRJcu0a5vLrLXtMU-N6hxEkDmNSgMkfGZRW-7iJ9xHMKXzkoEl1Sh3HtNunOZHF6wnEyreU7w9OVLpw7sZOvjrJCkA2jGsPKGUnJMfx92IUuFQjKbrt9upz1vfa9pB9E-osBHm5SMUJl/s1600/10557081_346933992168840_2164682803149645839_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiRJcu0a5vLrLXtMU-N6hxEkDmNSgMkfGZRW-7iJ9xHMKXzkoEl1Sh3HtNunOZHF6wnEyreU7w9OVLpw7sZOvjrJCkA2jGsPKGUnJMfx92IUuFQjKbrt9upz1vfa9pB9E-osBHm5SMUJl/s1600/10557081_346933992168840_2164682803149645839_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-TTRehkiDR-I9eMb0XxYWX42oLz9G1sXzwbEDDfO0DVfamctad7uBxqEoY-XOShc9NLquyqvI4KZgL-BZJIzlrx3CkQ_Wi9qfkiw_vhrkL7rbIByPVCW2N5BVTrLPny0p9o7J09IE49i/s1600/IMG_0695+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-TTRehkiDR-I9eMb0XxYWX42oLz9G1sXzwbEDDfO0DVfamctad7uBxqEoY-XOShc9NLquyqvI4KZgL-BZJIzlrx3CkQ_Wi9qfkiw_vhrkL7rbIByPVCW2N5BVTrLPny0p9o7J09IE49i/s1600/IMG_0695+copy.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>I have some more "springy" photo sessions, but they aren't edited or watermarked yet. These are some from the past month though.</i></div>
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Two weeks ago my father in law had triple coronary bypass surgery. They moved him from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. It was a scary surgery that was a little concerning through some parts, but thank God that he is doing well. Now he needs prayer to be healed enough to be able to go home. Thanks for all of the prayers that have already gone out. I know the whole family appreciates it.<br />
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J's is almost finished with all of his technical classes and then he will start interviewing. His biggest project as a computer programing major has been to make a program that enables robots to play Tic-Tac-Toe. He finally finished that assignment and I know that's a relief for him. He also still leads worship for a church in Indiana. I don't get to go with him as often as I would like because it's a big drive to make with the whole family and if there isn't a photo shoot I need to be be at, there is a birthday party the kids are invited to. Or sometimes someone is sick, as was the case this past Sunday.<br />
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In other news, the lease is almost up on our apartment and it's been kind of a nightmare. We'd love to move, but J still has one more semester left of school and won't have a FULL time job until the fall. So that really limits what we can afford or even qualify for. However, if we get a 6 month lease then that means we'll move in the middle of the school year and I would hate to put Z through that kind of transition if it entails switching schools. We've looked at some places, but they don't stay on the market for long. So it's kind of pointless to even search until June when we are ready to move. I don't know how people do it! The timing and availability all has to perfect.<br />
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I am trying to focus on Psalms 3:5 </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHlUjdzR9FYb056Sby0_JhuSu1_feItxIxn7ATuHe_kafwCYzkeNLq1bheDjKVgtS3ZRU6wxbA_LRRiiSVjexwaabC8R_OQsotLyqB6EuZ0SjURb4WOnCKQx_bYGSv2wtkvd-9Yjv4eGR/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHlUjdzR9FYb056Sby0_JhuSu1_feItxIxn7ATuHe_kafwCYzkeNLq1bheDjKVgtS3ZRU6wxbA_LRRiiSVjexwaabC8R_OQsotLyqB6EuZ0SjURb4WOnCKQx_bYGSv2wtkvd-9Yjv4eGR/s1600/0.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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and Romans 8:28 </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFhPKGMUpekMRyx0NCTAgKcS_JYyP9jXu-wSk-7m8_HB9g11TVzH1U5nSD-MQrutC5LtTv6RVUCVMGMHxZ2ThDlwoi2hBKYMjtdYMHHhv8DqsEHwoBPXL0REtV0o6BndLnGZIWYdtFzGD/s1600/tumblr_mgk5aox1ge1qbatwqo1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFhPKGMUpekMRyx0NCTAgKcS_JYyP9jXu-wSk-7m8_HB9g11TVzH1U5nSD-MQrutC5LtTv6RVUCVMGMHxZ2ThDlwoi2hBKYMjtdYMHHhv8DqsEHwoBPXL0REtV0o6BndLnGZIWYdtFzGD/s1600/tumblr_mgk5aox1ge1qbatwqo1_1280.png" height="400" width="292" /></a></div>
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Z has one month left of school, but SJ goes a little longer and then starts summer school. Don't worry, it's not all summer and it's not all day either. Every kid deserves a break, no matter how much catching up they have to do. <span style="text-align: center;">I just finished a conference meeting where I found out that she is going to the Kindergarten summer school! So that means that she kind of starts Kindergarten in 7 weeks. I am going to be tuning into a Kindergarten readiness webinar next week. I really can't believe she's starting Kindergarten! One reason is because it's been such a long journey of just learning to listen and speak that I really didn't think she would be ready. On top of that I just can't believe I have two school age children. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2TcwYyE7eogQJf8MxWhFhd8J3gHyJlkPYcOYmSsiY9Qhui6E6mXOrZnbkqZQUVXqlNNBUG0XY2qHaPD-EiW7v-jWdAgPRmBjcA-A0tWdaPxjBmFwAZzhmEsXwWguPKA2uNeNoExAK5Zm/s1600/10690172_10153191938709723_8027134204810065463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2TcwYyE7eogQJf8MxWhFhd8J3gHyJlkPYcOYmSsiY9Qhui6E6mXOrZnbkqZQUVXqlNNBUG0XY2qHaPD-EiW7v-jWdAgPRmBjcA-A0tWdaPxjBmFwAZzhmEsXwWguPKA2uNeNoExAK5Zm/s1600/10690172_10153191938709723_8027134204810065463_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It feels like just yesterday they were both toddlers and school wasn't even on my radar. Back then those moms and kids that had school schedules and extra curricular activities were in another world entirely. Now I am in that category! When did that happen!? I know I'll turn around and be watching them graduate High School and I'll probably have the same thoughts. Time really does fly. It's so cliche, but it's true. It keeps going faster and faster. </span><br />
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I don't want to leave out Ezie. He is two and half and on the go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-dhylk5AeOQuQpmNvH1cP6PD8sW6oBVwZCHKf4xZyvMogtcR4-R4YYcxBHZq0uJDHTsqe4POBr2GoA2K_S-vtydbrQQN0WDjTONfBpwyFpSeb0BHBpI491ayijfA72jGK5pahPvKMbF4/s1600/IMG_7711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-dhylk5AeOQuQpmNvH1cP6PD8sW6oBVwZCHKf4xZyvMogtcR4-R4YYcxBHZq0uJDHTsqe4POBr2GoA2K_S-vtydbrQQN0WDjTONfBpwyFpSeb0BHBpI491ayijfA72jGK5pahPvKMbF4/s1600/IMG_7711.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>It's hard to see in this photo, but his pajamas have turtle cape and whenever he puts on a cape he instantly transforms into a super hero and blast through the room with his fist straight out in front of him. He has done this since he was just a year old and it is hilarious.</i><br />
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At home he's a really easy toddler to deal with. He doesn't get into too much. He's not needy or whiney. However, if he is not confined he has me questioning if I am even qualified to be his mother. I literally can't keep up with him. The worst was at Chic-fil-A when he darted out of th<span style="text-align: center;">e play land and ran towards the exit. I ran after him and the rug in front of the door slid out from under me and I fell on my side with full force. I had a huge bruise up and down my leg from that one. He just runs off all the time. I've tried using a harness and he hates it so much that we just become immobile. Hopefully he'll be out of this stage soon because sometimes his antics make me fear for both of our lives! </span><br />
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That's not even all the latest, but it's certainly enough for now. I hope everyone else is enjoying the spring so far. I should be back to writing more soon.Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-13436773391506999692015-04-13T09:40:00.002-05:002015-04-13T09:40:34.633-05:00Sleep Habits<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">I sleep Indian style at night, with my feet tucked behind my knees. My husband hates it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I change positions a lot once I fall asleep so I don't stay in Indian style (or criss cross apple sauce for the younger generation) all night. I have never met anyone else that does this, but when I blogged about it several years ago I had a comment from <a href="http://My husband also sleeps indian style, but he even crosses his arms too! Very annoying...after 18 years though I've gotten used to it." target="_blank">Krista S</a> that said </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">"My husband also sleeps indian style, but he even crosses his arms too! Very annoying...after 18 years though I've gotten used to it."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Out of all the times this has come up in conversation that one comment, from someone I don't even know, is the only time I have heard that there is someone else out there with this same quirk. For my husband's sake sometimes I will compromise with what he calls "the figure 4", where the leg closest to him is straight and my other leg is still bent.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My other strange sleep habit is that I start off with socks, but then I kick them off of my feet after a few minutes. By the end of the week there is a pile of socks either collecting at the bottom of the bed or sometimes they've fallen onto the floor at the foot of the bed. This only applies in the winter. So I guess I just really like my feet to be warm.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The thing I find interesting is that I have friends that swear by keeping their feet out of the covers at night.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Then lately <a href="http://simplysheard.blogspot.com/2015/04/7-simple-sleep-suggestions.html" target="_blank">I've been seeing things online that suggest it's proven to help you sleep better</a>! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So even if you've mastered your sleep position and the warmth or coolness of your feet, the atmosphere of the room is another issue you have to deal with. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My husband likes music when he is going to sleep, but I don't. I usually turn it off once he's out. I'll get in trouble for this one, but he listened to music through the night in his college dorm room too and so did his roommate. The problem was J wanted to play Mariah Carey and his best friend liked Celine Dion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> I tend to fall asleep the easiest when it's completely dark. I can manage okay, but when I was pregnant with Ezie and struggling with insomnia I had to wear a sleep mask. My other soothing sleep technique is just plain riding in the car. My tend to sleep well in the car too. I assumed that was normal, but I have a friend whose little ones sleep way better than mine in their own beds, but no matter how tired they are they don't sleep on car rides. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I know this is a completely random topic, but I find the uniqueness of individual sleep habits fascinating. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>I just have to know, how do you fall asleep at night? </b></span></span></span>Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-62086525647317014642015-04-09T08:57:00.003-05:002015-04-09T09:58:59.935-05:00The Hardest Job on the Planet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I saw this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hitc8haEu_g" target="_blank">comedian on youtube</a> that was joking about how the statement <i>motherhood is the hardest job on the planet</i> is an exaggeration. He compares motherhood to coal miners dying of the black lung, implying that risking your life for a job would be harder. I would never describe motherhood as life threatening, but in a few rare cases it actually is. The comedian then dramatically explains how difficult it must be to bend down and put a dvd in the dvd player while you are still in your pajamas. The most ignorant thing he said was how mothers can send their kids to bed ANYTIME THEY WANT so that they can have a drink and watch The Price Is Right.<br />
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Would't that be nice!?<br />
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Now I understand how comedy works, and even though I think this guy has no idea what he is talking about I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that everything he said was 100% sarcastic. However, there are people out there that buy into his idea of motherhood as a brainless effortless gig and that is why I want to talk about it.<br />
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First off I would agree that there are plenty of more physically and intellectually demanding careers out there. Being a mom isn't even really a job at all in my opinion. One reason is because unlike a job, motherhood isn't just an investment of time and skill, it demands attention from ever fiber of your being.<br />
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During pregnancy a mother's body will literally be stretched and strained to it's maximum potential in order to create and sustain a new human. After her body pushes the baby out of her (something I'd love to see that comedian try to even fathom) then the child will depend on her for not only physical nourishment, but the love and care that has been scientifically proven is necessary for life. There will be times she will be stuck in a car with relentless screaming that could bring a soldier to his knees. She will clean up vomit and feceses more times than you can count. Her nipples will probably be bitten, her sleep will be stolen, and her hair will be pulled. All that and we aren't even through the first year.<br />
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The challenges only increase as the child grows and it's not a bad thing, but it certainly is NOT easy. <br />
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The emotional side of motherhood is far more intricate and complex than any job could ever be. Some people may feel like they are emotionally invested in their jobs, but mothers are attached at the core of who they are. When the child suffers the mother feels the same pain multiplied. The intensity of her passion for her children is pumping through her blood because those children are a part of her and share her DNA.<br />
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I could go on and on about all that motherhood entails, but I have already wasted too much time responding to a really stupid youtube video that was recommended on Facebook, and the only thing worse than that is that I also read a couple of the idiotic comments. Apparently there are a lot of oblivious people out there who really do think moms sit around all day playing Candy Crush Saga and snacking on sushi or something.<br />
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Just to be clear as I wrap this thing up, some women birth children, but never become mothers. Some women never birth children, but are the strongest mothers of all. It's a relationship, a lifestyle, a gift, a sacrifice, and a calling, but not necessarily a job. To say motherhood is job implies that you are paid, or that you can go off duty, or retire. So I don't think that motherhood is the hardest job on the planet because that statement isn't powerful enough to describe what being a mom <i>really</i> is.Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-51118309464734875222015-04-06T12:45:00.002-05:002015-04-06T12:45:36.906-05:00Messy Mom Movie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzbp-6IpSL_2GftVcrXRlr8A7ikNMsgUpEvkbPKehfop-UxP1ASjtmYnOSZ_fqkw_9ODidN1THsjJFCySXKMfnzzwi5J2GQHBj9eS_30K8Njq182uIarhvcCqboFuWi0p6hKzcd7GBJVD/s1600/IMG_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzbp-6IpSL_2GftVcrXRlr8A7ikNMsgUpEvkbPKehfop-UxP1ASjtmYnOSZ_fqkw_9ODidN1THsjJFCySXKMfnzzwi5J2GQHBj9eS_30K8Njq182uIarhvcCqboFuWi0p6hKzcd7GBJVD/s1600/IMG_400.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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What an adventurous day Saturday was! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those that haven't been bombarded by all of my announcements online, I'll fill you in. I am working on relaunching my website and over the weekend I did a professional video shoot for what will be the "Messy Mom Welcome Video". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The set location was in my brother's basement. He has a recording/video studio which was staged to look like a living room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was whole team of people helping out from art director to stylist and more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told it was just friends and family, but having titles makes it feel more legit. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did take after take. I think it was 6 scenes total. </span><span style="font-size: large;">All three of my kids were involved too, so it was exhausting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well worth it though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is one final scene that we decided reshoot later, but it's just Ezie. So he and I will be going back to my brother's studio tomorrow for that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not easy being a celebrity! Just joking of course, but I have always loved acting and have dreamed of being a part of a live studio audience or an extra in a movie, and this felt pretty close. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The big premiere day is scheduled for May 9th which is this MOTHER'S DAY!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have so many exciting things planned for that week. It's going to be like a big ol' carnival here on the blog... or maybe a circus... or worst case scenario a poorly planned frat party. Things are happening though, that much I know for sure and YOU get to be in on it all from ground zero. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did want to give a little heads up that there is A LOT that goes into moving 7 years of content to a new home. So things are going to start to slow down a little bit here for the next month as I get ready for all of this. I'll still be around, but I just wanted to mention that I might be posting less frequently for now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's the latest update. I hope everyone had a beautiful Easter Sunday. It looks like the spring weather is finally here! God bless.</span></div>
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Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-28586772197464207932015-04-03T05:00:00.000-05:002015-04-03T05:00:09.227-05:00Coming This Mother's Day <span style="font-size: large;">I have given hints and teasers over the past few months about some changes taking place here at <i>MessyMom.com</i> and this weekend things are starting to get real.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Part of the secret I've been keeping is that I will be doing a welcome video for <i>Messy Mom</i>. I dreamt up the script and wrote a rough draft a looong time ago, but the timing has never been right. It still isn't perfect, but it never will be and my brother is just amazing in the way he really takes action and helps me pursue my creative endeavors. If it weren't for him I really would never do it. He is a professional videographer and will be co-directing, shooting, and editing the entire project. I am a little bit nervous and still somewhat in shock that this is actually happening! I am definitely happy though. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My other brother is going to be helping me by converting my website and I don't have that on the calendar just yet, but it will be soon. We even had a brainstorming session this week where we talked about the vision and direction for <i>Messy Mom</i> and also a book idea. That's right. I am writing a book. More details on that later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've got videographer on one side and a web designer on the other, both eager to help me. It's every bloggers dream. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am truly the luckiest sister in the world! </span></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/AVvXsEj-br3a4JGoIzFwNEpUM6RsbcIvoRn3DxK5dYuALzA5eNBQYxi1ocjw1-lKEjMoe5orj-mw7m1IufJcCuazfE0LmvHTKO5IwKAtEMLGb_xYEb8197kRDT4k4YrKONWz-Yb3cqP56l-aE9Lm/s1600/thedreamteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-br3a4JGoIzFwNEpUM6RsbcIvoRn3DxK5dYuALzA5eNBQYxi1ocjw1-lKEjMoe5orj-mw7m1IufJcCuazfE0LmvHTKO5IwKAtEMLGb_xYEb8197kRDT4k4YrKONWz-Yb3cqP56l-aE9Lm/s1600/thedreamteam.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: My dad, my husband, me, my brothers Jeremy, and Brandon.<br />
This photo really says it all. We love art, design, technology,<br />
and yes we do love our Mac Book Pros (except this photo is over 8 years old!)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My <i>GOAL</i> is to have everything launched on Mother's Day which is May 10. That's only a month away. It may not be possible, but I am not going to cry and give up if that doesn't happen. My backup deadline is my birthday (June 27th). Or maybe it will just be a random wild card day. I am a planner, but I am also realistic and flexible when it comes to execution. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If you aren't already following me on social media than you need to, because I'll be posting behind the scenes updates as we go through the whole creative movie making process. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/themessymom"><span style="font-size: large;">www.facebook.com/themessymom</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.instagram.com/messymom"><span style="font-size: large;">www.instagram.com/messymom</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/themessymom" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/themessymom </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Catch me this weekend on Facebook, instagram, and twitter. Otherwise I'll see you back here on Monday! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a Happy Easter Everyone. </span></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-16056912115333640492015-04-02T09:42:00.000-05:002015-04-02T17:28:44.999-05:00Let's Talk About Water Birth<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi Natalie! I've been reading a lot of posts on Messy Mom about your child birthing experiences and advice! That is super helpful! Thank you for writing those. I was wondering if you'd written any more posts about water birthing. I am thinking about this for our birth! I would love to hear your tips and advice! "</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This question comes from first time expectant mom Bethany who blogs over at "<b><a href="http://www.againwesayrejoice.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Again We Say Rejoice</span></a></b>" Isn't their pregnancy announcement adorable!?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZXB3dqrD8y3uULHIgBscevKUu6VVllW0L5cvnmtgkDALWgKMO5KklfqqcFzSks2cyenpC7RzmMiOPBZ_cu3V7li5Z_tgs1ml4Qy4puG3MTS9fsOXBfOckz-ZfyAe2FcUB2ooDAvIdgqc/s1600/Baby+Shaw+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZXB3dqrD8y3uULHIgBscevKUu6VVllW0L5cvnmtgkDALWgKMO5KklfqqcFzSks2cyenpC7RzmMiOPBZ_cu3V7li5Z_tgs1ml4Qy4puG3MTS9fsOXBfOckz-ZfyAe2FcUB2ooDAvIdgqc/s1600/Baby+Shaw+Announcement.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I was thrilled to get this question from Bethany because I am very passionate about water birth, but other than sharing <a href="http://www.messymom.com/p/my-crunchy-side.html" target="_blank">my birth stories</a> I have never blogged about the topic specifically. Granted, I am NOT an expert on water birth so I am not going to dish out a bunch of facts and statistics, but I will share my take on it from personal experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have heard water birth referred to as<b> nature's epidural</b> and after having one birth that was not in water and two that were I can agree with that statement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The way it works is that the baby receives oxygen through your umbilical cord and does not inhale until exposed to air. Since the baby is already underwater (or more accurately in amniotic fluid) in the womb for 9 months this makes for a smooth transition into the world. Think of it like having the lights gradually turned on rather than going from complete darkness all night long and then suddenly having someone shining a bright light in your face. That's not <i>why</i> I had a water birth, it's just one of the potential benefits.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPQgFRz_IRQJGcCYjO_w5RxOzkQ04vs96kl4M5uE78lny3eYbTOlF6hK4xm68LEjWOTIMlRe0MNRVMH8zDR3e_VB3UaKbCDdOHQNh6MQFmko3_PhFZGFR10WSJqi2gJm045x-1QnSTXpO/s1600/IMG_7111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPQgFRz_IRQJGcCYjO_w5RxOzkQ04vs96kl4M5uE78lny3eYbTOlF6hK4xm68LEjWOTIMlRe0MNRVMH8zDR3e_VB3UaKbCDdOHQNh6MQFmko3_PhFZGFR10WSJqi2gJm045x-1QnSTXpO/s1600/IMG_7111.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is some more information about the entire process</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">PREPARATION</span></u><br />
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Preparing for a water birth can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. One thing you have to know ahead of time is whether or not it is offered by your care provider or birthing facility. Even if they do offer water birth their criteria might determine some of the methods you choose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know for a lot of home births people order inflatable birth pools, but I have no experience with this personally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will say that my first water birth was completely unplanned! I had planned to birth on my bed and had prepared everything accordingly, but I was comfortable in the bathtub and my daughter came so quickly that it just happened that way!<b> </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdmb-xxGVd95FempeK86YSYyQA83n5JOOcYOCTHI-JYP6Jjii1PYaoe9gKjj0Dx0SAc3ygQn6egTKxCnW34oQPtHhJiX2SROlSZQ9HcJSrWNiBUTINwJLs-vDq-V842HMLznYoyD5nZJZ/s1600/sj_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdmb-xxGVd95FempeK86YSYyQA83n5JOOcYOCTHI-JYP6Jjii1PYaoe9gKjj0Dx0SAc3ygQn6egTKxCnW34oQPtHhJiX2SROlSZQ9HcJSrWNiBUTINwJLs-vDq-V842HMLznYoyD5nZJZ/s1600/sj_9751.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">This proves more than anything just how little preparation is needed for a water birth.</span></b><br />
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<u>Attire</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was nude for my first water birth and wore a maternity swimsuit (with no bottoms) the second time around. The swimsuit was a lot like wearing a slip or a sundress. I really liked it because I didn't have to worry about being completely exposed. It kept me covered in and out of the water. <b>The swimsuit was stretchy enough for me to pull the front down and breastfeed</b>, which is an important factor to consider. I did this immediately after the delivery for skin to skin contact and both babies latched on and started breastfeeding while I was still in the water, which means it happened almost right away because I did not stay in the water long.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Timing</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Typically you want to wait until you are really in active labor when you get in the water. This way the water is fresh and warm. For me I just waited until contractions were really intense. Your midwife or doula can let you know how far along you appear to be and give you instructions at that point.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Comfortable Positions</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike other types of birth there aren't a lot of tools and tricks because the water itself is the pain relief! <b>Warm water is stress relieving, soothing, and literally reduces a lot of the weight of labor. It also naturally massages the perineum to promote elasticity and prevent tearing.</b> One simple item you can use to get comfortable is a towel that can be rolled up or folded to create a soft surface for you to lean on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With my first water birth I had my back against the edge of the tub (the same as when you bathe) and birthed in what I would refer to as the traditional position (lying down with your legs apart). With water birth number two I was on my knees leaning over the tub.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSbq295g3pTyVoXrnqfMTATdlpb2ugwPagCx24Si1Lhmgzb01EMjFVMNt_K1To11lcyl-04r2FCMffkj_23yeygqzLb0WLQABnIiEGAUhdZ8bmb5_cpItN31DfBLXGX6lMHkhToJyxm0B/s1600/IMG_7073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSbq295g3pTyVoXrnqfMTATdlpb2ugwPagCx24Si1Lhmgzb01EMjFVMNt_K1To11lcyl-04r2FCMffkj_23yeygqzLb0WLQABnIiEGAUhdZ8bmb5_cpItN31DfBLXGX6lMHkhToJyxm0B/s1600/IMG_7073.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One reason is because I was Group B Strep positive which meant I had to have an IV. It was covered in plastic and could get wet, but it was not supposed to stay submerged in the water. There is a lot more information about this, but that's another topic altogether. You won't know if you are GBS positive until they do the test toward the end of your pregnancy.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Final Thoughts</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are so many different approaches to water birth. It's a very personal decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me I had the <b>unplanned</b> water birth in my <b>bathtub</b> with a <b>CPM </b>(certified professional midwife<b>)</b> <b>at home</b> and <b>birthed the placenta in the tub</b>. I was near Dallas Texas at the time and the location is important, because laws vary from state to state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I had a <b>hospital water birth </b>in Lexington Kentucky with an <b>APRN </b>(advanced practice registered nurse)/ <b>CNM</b> (certified nurse midwife) and <b>delivered the placenta in the bed afterwards</b>. The midwife also did the circumcision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If water birth is an option where you are delivering then I say at least have it available just in case it turns out to be the place you feel most comfortable. You can always change your mind! No matter how things go when you deliver it's important to remember that you will NOT disappoint your baby. The baby just wants to be out of the womb. The hard part is knowing that for yourself and doing whatever feels best for you!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClGzVbsKORIidZjaoWurpmkNMIH7IMaCSw534R-aZFIY2HInVREAAWHdfgR3CWP7bOD_MjxSrJuaP2Hp1MQc5TTdWRjq827veGwrQ3IuZ4UB4Gt-4d5NZeGc3zpK5jHaj_2UYxgT9jvWJ/s1600/sj_9772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClGzVbsKORIidZjaoWurpmkNMIH7IMaCSw534R-aZFIY2HInVREAAWHdfgR3CWP7bOD_MjxSrJuaP2Hp1MQc5TTdWRjq827veGwrQ3IuZ4UB4Gt-4d5NZeGc3zpK5jHaj_2UYxgT9jvWJ/s1600/sj_9772.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-54339608874285080962015-03-31T08:41:00.000-05:002015-03-31T08:41:15.587-05:00What Is Going On In This Picture!?<br />
There are a lot of photos on my phone. Most of them never get posted anywhere. Some of them are pretty strange too. Especially if you don't know the story behind it. That's why I decided to pick 5 random phone photos and see if you can figure out for yourself just what in the world is going on in these photos. Or maybe I'll just tell you. I hope you'll have fun with this as I introduce my first installment of... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qCSb_VsK0NTW-PtJ3A5XWAeXRqNohlUWJ3z5lXdYLLNvNA9xiAcnc5ni6RUGjSGzSvtmqeI5CJ6br4vg8jBiJzV3MzDf-gXCujog1W0U7cEtkRozkFVW7hxQ6gAgo7lrXL66qTxrXv9c/s1600/What+is+going+on+in+this+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qCSb_VsK0NTW-PtJ3A5XWAeXRqNohlUWJ3z5lXdYLLNvNA9xiAcnc5ni6RUGjSGzSvtmqeI5CJ6br4vg8jBiJzV3MzDf-gXCujog1W0U7cEtkRozkFVW7hxQ6gAgo7lrXL66qTxrXv9c/s1600/What+is+going+on+in+this+picture.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;"><b>ONE </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_GUGtowyQ1ZuoRy9YMK7tnahe3OCH7Dz-EuUxM2_c1f7pCTlZRWAwTFf9FdGPDWcboun9UmL4jxrVaPWukFxSnMdEH9PlSziL8XPxl53Bol4aYOGgyQgUXeuxZJ8accCiWpGfHpk-SxM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_GUGtowyQ1ZuoRy9YMK7tnahe3OCH7Dz-EuUxM2_c1f7pCTlZRWAwTFf9FdGPDWcboun9UmL4jxrVaPWukFxSnMdEH9PlSziL8XPxl53Bol4aYOGgyQgUXeuxZJ8accCiWpGfHpk-SxM/s1600/1.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
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What is going on in this one is pretty obvious. Batman is sitting in his highchair watching cartoons. This is not an abnormal occurrence in our home.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">TWO</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkrBvYfpZ7GftSR5N__Wlhx0zck0rjm7DP_CnP8Pby-VZFDTgDp44i4y_jaQjvstxE9vhyphenhyphenRCK4APfzlPs9TOZY0ppjAKxAN4952uq01T5JCxB_MxtMLhHKzZnITUuZEkWFOuqCX48po9W/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkrBvYfpZ7GftSR5N__Wlhx0zck0rjm7DP_CnP8Pby-VZFDTgDp44i4y_jaQjvstxE9vhyphenhyphenRCK4APfzlPs9TOZY0ppjAKxAN4952uq01T5JCxB_MxtMLhHKzZnITUuZEkWFOuqCX48po9W/s1600/2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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My parents humungous cat is laying on the dog bed. </div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">THREE</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqAdVc9GHRh9R-hs3i-IQsgDoDlKq5IeoaJ-9SYiABQ3N80-dw9oa4BYIfS839CMDFOhOJvYrbdtmwZ7gX3MBe-tyU9L4VMRfwvIbxQBJ3tNSf3ZSGqZRmLyER5TNpldtSbCkXA0Rsy2F/s1600/3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqAdVc9GHRh9R-hs3i-IQsgDoDlKq5IeoaJ-9SYiABQ3N80-dw9oa4BYIfS839CMDFOhOJvYrbdtmwZ7gX3MBe-tyU9L4VMRfwvIbxQBJ3tNSf3ZSGqZRmLyER5TNpldtSbCkXA0Rsy2F/s1600/3+copy.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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SJ is wearing my knee high boots with her pajamas and they fit perfectly! </div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">FOUR</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-_XwEF2-aCZZ86mfn0drg9Jo8ZHcfipEkBNL7zUgEU4qruLSW7dMw9gtBTNS1t_2WkGH1JcO5biLMBzaQNwiVOQWqkH8roCX9ao2WYEycyu8pPZzNW8-m00SG68x-_w8_S65GfFJh4xJ/s1600/3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-_XwEF2-aCZZ86mfn0drg9Jo8ZHcfipEkBNL7zUgEU4qruLSW7dMw9gtBTNS1t_2WkGH1JcO5biLMBzaQNwiVOQWqkH8roCX9ao2WYEycyu8pPZzNW8-m00SG68x-_w8_S65GfFJh4xJ/s1600/3a.jpg" height="400" width="383" /></a></div>
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Speaking of pajamas, I came into the living room one day to find that Ezie had started up the Yoga DVD and was doing his morning workout. </div>
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Here are some bonus shots I took while spying on him. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33_Pjq_VxK1v3oNNuLAnzY0MTTVICZUDeb9QBexLbD1B1hvdB3oau4XL1xguoJHArjpLEClmLARa6Ca2nHPmMwzbx5b-72LDdju7njBrSw86pbv-KOXZquvYehG_k8a4bS49XhQUFIMC/s1600/3b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33_Pjq_VxK1v3oNNuLAnzY0MTTVICZUDeb9QBexLbD1B1hvdB3oau4XL1xguoJHArjpLEClmLARa6Ca2nHPmMwzbx5b-72LDdju7njBrSw86pbv-KOXZquvYehG_k8a4bS49XhQUFIMC/s1600/3b+copy.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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Hey, sometimes I need to grab the console for balance too. There's no shame in that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7-BSAROzgDu_h-Bh9N07mivZVbbIErWV3zbdKc7_dEKE-mE9CscugIdtIGQfxf_ZPfjkwZtNGfoawaLfhXFmLcXJ0-TsbqXmxxVrsD7j8e4sBR3OyCKRe7XiOPuAVy2mb1Qcie1ihwgh/s1600/3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7-BSAROzgDu_h-Bh9N07mivZVbbIErWV3zbdKc7_dEKE-mE9CscugIdtIGQfxf_ZPfjkwZtNGfoawaLfhXFmLcXJ0-TsbqXmxxVrsD7j8e4sBR3OyCKRe7XiOPuAVy2mb1Qcie1ihwgh/s1600/3d.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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He's a little behind Rodney here in the upward dog position.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur7oKTXhnr1iDQWEVSvB45_fRR-kpwmmRbcMuxTX0sVlkKkEtcSyEPMDUyAp8b6A1MlbZY3d1hT0CMI7o06mJwFyTFx54idPrW2Si1k7ImwYKXPno33glpz77Jj0W0z8s-XyA1kVdQTzy/s1600/3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur7oKTXhnr1iDQWEVSvB45_fRR-kpwmmRbcMuxTX0sVlkKkEtcSyEPMDUyAp8b6A1MlbZY3d1hT0CMI7o06mJwFyTFx54idPrW2Si1k7ImwYKXPno33glpz77Jj0W0z8s-XyA1kVdQTzy/s1600/3c.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
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Lastly, the warrior pose. Namaste. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> FIVE</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZQxPG5z_agsUM2mqHaC-5buYAlTNa15Qa17vWtCvzsXEy_IwWYg0ghxaL71XPEldPmdfzZOpQfSJ33rHbJ3faA_71QFpmVZ0uZ4ACua6fWfy2KymefeKOopMRMySbMc11Pqusb9kkqMv/s1600/IMG_1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZQxPG5z_agsUM2mqHaC-5buYAlTNa15Qa17vWtCvzsXEy_IwWYg0ghxaL71XPEldPmdfzZOpQfSJ33rHbJ3faA_71QFpmVZ0uZ4ACua6fWfy2KymefeKOopMRMySbMc11Pqusb9kkqMv/s1600/IMG_1451.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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What is going on in this picture is "Discreet bladder protection". I had J pick up some pads from the store and let's just say you should never send a man to do a woman's job.<br />
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So those are my 5. Show me what you've got by posting one of your random phone outtakes on instagram along with the hashtag #whatisgoingoninthispicture. That is not a one of kind hashtag, but if you tag @messymom I'll know what it's about. If you don't have Instagram feel free to share with me on Facebook, Twitter, or via email. I'll pick one to post on the blog along with a shout out next month when we do another round of #WhatIsGoingOnInThisPicture? </div>
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Now go check that photo stream! </div>
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Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-76727908649781263952015-03-30T07:19:00.003-05:002015-03-30T07:19:52.346-05:00Spring on the Summer Plans Today starts spring break for my children. J's college had their's a couple weeks ago. We don't have any major plans for the break and we still don't have the typical spring weather. We did have snow flurries over the weekend though!<br />
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Now that I have kids in school I almost feel like spring gets overlooked.<br />
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<b>Spring is like the Thanksgiving of the seasons. </b></div>
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You know how it can be difficult to really focus on Thanksgiving when you have Christmas to plan? I am pretty hard nosed about keeping it in order, but I have heard complaints.<br />
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Anyway, it's the same thing this time of year. You have to start making summer plans so early that you inevitably end up racing through spring. See what I mean? Spring break and Thanksgiving are great, but often over shadowed by their big brothers Summer Break and Christmas.<br />
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J has already had to register for his summer classes. I may have been a little premature when I talked about <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/03/febru-arch.html" target="_blank">our big breakthrough</a> in case anyone is keeping up with all of that stuff. I won't even go into details because the moment I announce it on the internet it will change again. I do know his schooling won't last forever. I also know that God has a plan and J will have a job. That's all I know though right now. Which isn't easy for me, because I am a planner!<br />
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SJ has registered for her summer classes already. I know that sounds silly because she is preschool, but as a special needs girl she gets to go to some special classes for all of June and a the very beginning of July. The cost is already covered which is a huge answer to prayer. This will be her third year in summer school and every year we have hiccups with financial aid. The Lord has always made a way though. It's a great reminder that He is forever faithful.<br />
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Z will be going to summer camp for the first time this year! We have yet to register, but I need to do that ASAP. I am a little nervous about this milestone, but I know it will be fine. I grew up at this church and I have a very close personal relationship with all of the leadership, but it's still hard to send him away for multiple nights. I know he'll have a blast though. He is extremely excited. He'll get to swim and zip line and most importantly learn about God. This children's ministry has an awesome worship band too, so I am jealous that I can't be a part of that.<br />
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So, those are the reasons why I am thinking of summer when it's still 38 degrees outside. Because I have to! These activities have deadlines. Before you know it I'll be registering them for the next school year. My baby girl is going to be in Kindergarten! But, I am not thinking about that right now. One step at a time.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any summer plans yet?</span> </b></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-44939738683804579772015-03-26T17:52:00.002-05:002015-03-26T17:52:46.234-05:00Putting Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers to the Test This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="http://izea.it/l2zIE" rel="nofollow">Huggies®</a> for <a href="https://izea.com/" rel="nofollow">IZEA</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.<br />
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<em>This post brought to you by Huggies®. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Messy Mom .</em></div>
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<span style="color: black; text-align: center;">Between my three children I have been changing diapers for almost 8 years now. I have never really kept track of how many, but without a doubt I have changed thousands upon thousands of diapers. So when I had the opportunity to try Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers I said</span><em style="color: black; text-align: center;"> Bring it on!</em><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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Ezie is a 2 1/2 year old, 27 pound heavy wetter. When it comes to testing the endurance of a diaper he's the toddler for the job! </div>
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I was already a fan of Huggies® to begin with. They're durable, affordable, and from what I can observe they seem comfortable. But it gets better, Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers are now available at Walmart at a new LOWER PRICE! Plus they have a new and improved Leak Lock System with quick-absorbing layers for up to 12 hours of protection. 12 HOURS! They're perfect for nap time, bedtime, road trips, or anytime.</div>
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I've dealt with my share of leaky diapers. I remember trying everything to prevent it. For example, when I was a new mom I had a friend teach me the double diaper trick to keep kids dry at night. It entailed wrapping your kid up with one diaper and then putting another one on top of that just before bedtime. I had another friend teach me the <em>no drinks allowed after 6:00</em> rule to help prevent leaking. Sometimes these tricks worked, sometimes they didn't.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWE4OWONDYF3Nqiigbu6mzk1VmY1PbDtPwTW__GPgL6QUCRD_6qHgFYpHsQtkKB3KqH-RzZlz37gqpWsL3BU8t6Hqdpc9jzlGjugNA6nqWDmz4wsC0r90_rkBvk0Hb1lwvP32Q74k7qFX/s1600/IMG_9737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-UKIEIMDnJ14%2FVQ2LnRYfHgI%2FAAAAAAAALnM%2Fa23RP3c7eeY%2Fs1600%2FIMG_9737.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="cursor: move; height: 213px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
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I don't have to worry about any of that with the Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers! They provide protection against wetness all night long. </div>
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The fun Mickey Mouse designs from Disney were a hit and the fit was nice and snug with the flexibility that is needed for an active toddler. </div>
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In other words the Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers stay put even when he doesn't! </div>
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Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers. The perfect fit for the perfectly huggable baby.</div>
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<a href="http://izea.it/l2zID" rel="nofollow">Huggies® Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers at Walmart.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://izea.it/l2zIE" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Visit Sponsors Site" border="0" src="http://izea.com/views/484605" style="border: none; width: auto !important;" /></a>Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-62593704826355406592015-03-24T20:23:00.002-05:002015-03-24T21:10:13.984-05:00What Appliance Can You Live Without Last Friday I wrote a post called "<a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/03/my-loud-dishwasher.html" target="_blank">My Loud Dishwasher</a>" and it stirred up quite a discussion. I implied that I must be one of the only people left in America these days that was forced to wash dishes by hand. What I found in response was quite the contrary.<br />
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One comment after the other revealed that there were a lot more homes without dishwashers than I ever thought! The research was somewhat conflicting, but at best only <a href="http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/were-still-waiting-on-the-dishwasher-utopia-1496632923" target="_blank">75% of homes in America have dishwashers</a>. So I was right in that most homes do have dishwashers, but 1 out of 4 don't. That's a lot people without one!<br />
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There was an interesting article I read called "<a href="http://qz.com/29147/death-of-a-dishwasher-families-around-the-world-spurn-americas-favorite-appliance/" target="_blank">Death of a Dishwasher</a>" which has some fascinating info about the trends of dishwashers around the world. US and Norway are the leaders for this appliance, but in most countries you aren't find dishwashers anywhere! They just aren't that common. <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; line-height: 30px;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/07/AR2005100702146.html" target="_blank">A 2004 Washington Post article</a> </span>explains that many immigrants who have come to America and had access to a dishwasher just ignore the the option entirely! In these cases they are more likely to be used to store snacks or as a drying rack. One Chinese-American man asked: "Do you have to wash it beforehand to rinse it off? And if you wash it beforehand, why do you even need to use it?" I have had the same thoughts, which is why I am notorious for under rinsing and then chipping off little flakes of melted cheese crusted onto the plate after it comes out of the dishwasher.<br />
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I became curious how dishwashers ranked compared to other appliances. So<br />
I did the best I could navigating the web to find data. I believe these percentages are fairly accurate, but they weren't easy to come by. So please don't take the following statistics as cold hard fact.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">The Estimated Percentages of Homes in America With The Following Appliances</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="http://20somethingfinance.com/cost-of-air-conditioning-vs-a-fan/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Central Air Conditioning 72% </span></a><br />
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<a href="http://qz.com/29147/death-of-a-dishwasher-families-around-the-world-spurn-americas-favorite-appliance/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dishwasher 75% </span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/19/census-computer-ownership-internet-connection-varies-widely-across-u-s/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Computer 84% </span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ecova.com/Ecova/blog/2013/may/research-helps-set-the-stage-for-more-energy-efficient-clothes-dryers.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Washer and dryer 85%</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/were-still-waiting-on-the-dishwasher-utopia-1496632923" target="_blank">Refrigerator 95%</a> and <a href="http://blog.opower.com/2012/08/trends-in-household-appliances-vcrs-are-out-second-refrigerators-are-in/" target="_blank">2 refrigerators 30%</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.smecc.org/microwave_oven.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Microwave 95%</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/19/census-computer-ownership-internet-connection-varies-widely-across-u-s/" target="_blank">Television 95% and the major majority of them have more than one set </a></span><br />
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Some of these really surprised me! I don't have a microwave or a washer and dryer set. Until now I had no idea how uncommon that was.<br />
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Apparently the trends of our culture do not reflect that of my preference.<br />
Here is the order I would put these 7 appliances with #1 being <b>"couldn't live without it"</b> and #7 being <b>"I could give it up pretty easily"</b>.<br />
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1. Refrigerator.<br />
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2. Computer<br />
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3. Air conditioning<br />
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4. Washer and Dryer*<br />
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5. Dish Washer<br />
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6. Television<br />
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7. Microwave<br />
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I think refrigerator is a deal breaker for obvious reasons, but honestly I would almost rather eat out or eat non perishable food than go without a computer. Then when I remembered that I could use a computer at the library I compromised, but that was a close call!<br />
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I have lived without air conditioning and it was brutal, but the above statistic did not include window units so there are a lot more than 72% of homes that do have some form AC and the few that have no AC whatsoever probably live in cooler climates.<br />
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*I put a star by washer and dryer because I have it as number 4 even though I don't actually have one, yet I do have a dishwasher and Television. I hate having to bring my clothes to a coin laundry. This is not the first time in my life I have been in this position though. If it were up to me I would pick washer and dryer over dish washer any day, but I live an apartment where that's not an option right now.<br />
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I've lived without a television before and I could easily do it again. I am not a big TV person, but I do enjoy having one.<br />
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Lastly I don't have a microwave and I don't miss it. Except for one major exception- reheating warm drinks. Everything else I am totally comfortable using the oven or toaster, and we love our jiffy pop. I'll probably still do stove popcorn just for the fun of it, even when we do have a microwave again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what about you?</span><br />
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Are there any on this list that you don't have? Is there something that's not on the list that is your absolute favorite?<br />
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Let me know in the comments!<br />
<br />Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-36982945299713443312015-03-23T06:06:00.002-05:002015-03-23T07:49:34.687-05:002 Years of Speech SJ said her first word just barely over two years ago, when she was three years old. She said "up" and pointed to go upstairs. I freaked out. Just a little bit.<br />
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From then on I started documenting everything. Okay, maybe not <i>every</i> word she said, but I have notes on my phone that I use to keep track. The name of the list on my phone from that time was "Words SJ Said Without Prompting"<br />
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What that means is that she said them spontaneously without anyone coaxing her and cuing her to say a specific word. She was able to parrot a lot of words, but she didn't necessarily know them. Things really took off in the fall of that year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TZN_LfkNuol8ULrA5jkyfJY60BIkVMLuc24efZF9MXDVu6kZtM5LBgjQq_-VaM5efCxrcxNuw01G0OT-N4lmqR7LoIPmwQmljr6m2fYFuqrbyJhpVJ-YWd7f1NxzUCGnf-jey9SjI-X8/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TZN_LfkNuol8ULrA5jkyfJY60BIkVMLuc24efZF9MXDVu6kZtM5LBgjQq_-VaM5efCxrcxNuw01G0OT-N4lmqR7LoIPmwQmljr6m2fYFuqrbyJhpVJ-YWd7f1NxzUCGnf-jey9SjI-X8/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
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The next year, in 2014 she started putting words together<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO8IGLC8_wDd8nyVjBiv-KYkmH5I07J3wSbBnYG7yh-zyZBNZr7Qrb4NiQotskamh6r5yg4YtCLAvDq-O-Cm3TbM5894j5677rWCc00Dk7BetUU5lN9cS3zEOId0JcrU-5KvVZdJ-0sio/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO8IGLC8_wDd8nyVjBiv-KYkmH5I07J3wSbBnYG7yh-zyZBNZr7Qrb4NiQotskamh6r5yg4YtCLAvDq-O-Cm3TbM5894j5677rWCc00Dk7BetUU5lN9cS3zEOId0JcrU-5KvVZdJ-0sio/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
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This time last year she said "Mom. I hear phone!" and it was a huge breakthrough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cXWoXc6p1rOvMQXT96uGyxY3ajV2cbE7USXFH3Ce3tHx9HK_pU0D67wpZqy85UWRYBHbHNhD_nTzvgXZrB3yqzyAnDbjWyfRswhO1SlzjBBXIrSf08QHoAeU8qvvlpz4x9iPY-ovSBfx/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-23+at+6.33.19+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cXWoXc6p1rOvMQXT96uGyxY3ajV2cbE7USXFH3Ce3tHx9HK_pU0D67wpZqy85UWRYBHbHNhD_nTzvgXZrB3yqzyAnDbjWyfRswhO1SlzjBBXIrSf08QHoAeU8qvvlpz4x9iPY-ovSBfx/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-23+at+6.33.19+AM.jpg" height="196" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The words just kept rolling in and she was beginning to really communicate her needs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8tG0y7oYA8NdW9ZjlgwSLUwQhT7LCRqDqMtmXVuad9i7XszJ16PQf1Rrt2ieQcHqUcBWHDb9ZwSI5ytrNQXE-jDJ7nLXvLjksgSQVea5E-vVJKn28L2MzJ4swvJzeBlQGpDBpfYzPxB/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8tG0y7oYA8NdW9ZjlgwSLUwQhT7LCRqDqMtmXVuad9i7XszJ16PQf1Rrt2ieQcHqUcBWHDb9ZwSI5ytrNQXE-jDJ7nLXvLjksgSQVea5E-vVJKn28L2MzJ4swvJzeBlQGpDBpfYzPxB/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
Over the summer she was saying sentences and I started a new list called to "Sentences SJ Said" <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0bDBjhzrRzf7vnQwUNlrh8oxvxP2CfRmX203SSDWnyAqm_pYwXQwPBEhPaLuDWyFTyDvmzm0GXp643Oc1f27ogADuQY7Y8E-EiqYIHO5C-xMcHWF1yYCVnKGtZjbyZsox1L951dbaKZI/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0bDBjhzrRzf7vnQwUNlrh8oxvxP2CfRmX203SSDWnyAqm_pYwXQwPBEhPaLuDWyFTyDvmzm0GXp643Oc1f27ogADuQY7Y8E-EiqYIHO5C-xMcHWF1yYCVnKGtZjbyZsox1L951dbaKZI/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
or "Stuff SJ said at Christmas time"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrl-nr4e-Dlpz8E5Qo9W0PjwB_o8O2ujhjUFbKXaVh9ZmLIzP_u0AWLGpa0jVj7qXNPpC5GagSrtqn5Zen1l1whQbgl9LQCal_nlUxwc_yxGIzfzzb1wgInOA5eED-k8i6vsf5g_tUoc0/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrl-nr4e-Dlpz8E5Qo9W0PjwB_o8O2ujhjUFbKXaVh9ZmLIzP_u0AWLGpa0jVj7qXNPpC5GagSrtqn5Zen1l1whQbgl9LQCal_nlUxwc_yxGIzfzzb1wgInOA5eED-k8i6vsf5g_tUoc0/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
So she progressed from sounds, to words, to spontaneous language, to multiple words, then sentences and lastly conversations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1cyX8LxhZLCuyyZ2lb1QIjnBMQzs1YiEx0HRWe9KtDqskbIsxnLkZMYFCjIx3Q4qUeB66spNmwk0uvV0OU5ygFwP89el1Kcv9Imp-2lyo7EExOjK93qhyphenhyphenKna2z9VPDeDjWY2ZJsPd5jh/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1cyX8LxhZLCuyyZ2lb1QIjnBMQzs1YiEx0HRWe9KtDqskbIsxnLkZMYFCjIx3Q4qUeB66spNmwk0uvV0OU5ygFwP89el1Kcv9Imp-2lyo7EExOjK93qhyphenhyphenKna2z9VPDeDjWY2ZJsPd5jh/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
That is where we are now. Good grief, I am crying just typing this out. Sometimes it feels like we aren't getting anywhere, but as I look back I can see how far she's come.<br />
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I used to get really excited when I noticed her say a new word. Now she has so many words I can't keep track. Instead I find it cute when she doesn't know a word and I get to teach her one. Like recently when she asked the word for feather or honey. Or yesterday when she called the refrigerator a closet.<br />
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It's so hard to get video of anything. She'll be chatting up a storm, but the times I actually sit down to record something she is a vault. I do have some snippets of a 15 minute conversation I had with her while she was preparing a snack. Please excuse her wild end of the day hair and the disaster in the background. I don't call this space messy mom for nothing.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QbDxoeUxV6U?list=UUI14BRjVJRLF3Wp2GVLf3ug" width="480"></iframe><br />
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She has a LONG way to go before she is caught up. I'm proud of how far she has come though and I have to focus on that and remember my favorite Bible verse <b>Jeremiah 29:11</b> to keep things in perspective.<br />
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I am going to paraphrase a little here, but you'll understand why.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For I know the plans I have for SJ declares the Lord, plans to prosper her and not harm her, plans to give her hope and a future.</span></b></blockquote>
<br />Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-64031664097469845422015-03-20T10:56:00.002-05:002015-03-21T18:47:20.649-05:00My Loud DishwasherMost of my adult life I have been washing dishes by hand. I know it shocking that there are people in AMERICA in the 21st century that do not have dishwashers, but it's true!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzUn5FdRVW65qt5Is25s9Q1JjaI4JlA_8PxjxDP7lMGp6MK2eduq9c96xrElXb5nE3H5aOfV9UruSb9YepajF2sJRGKoXoTt_BPv69hNwbPagqg0s10IZUKD2tRJ51LS-goZmFr9KFKdm/s1600/394831_10150529330754700_512284699_8790510_246584244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzUn5FdRVW65qt5Is25s9Q1JjaI4JlA_8PxjxDP7lMGp6MK2eduq9c96xrElXb5nE3H5aOfV9UruSb9YepajF2sJRGKoXoTt_BPv69hNwbPagqg0s10IZUKD2tRJ51LS-goZmFr9KFKdm/s1600/394831_10150529330754700_512284699_8790510_246584244_n.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our old kitchen. The dishwasher is on the left. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I won't go through all of the places we lived and why there was no working dishwasher, but washing dishes in a tub of soapy warm water was my reality for over 10 years, other than a short stretch of time before we sold our house in Texas.<br />
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We did a complete kitchen remodel and we went all out for the energy efficient stainless steel dishwasher. My favorite feature was the "top rack only" option for when you only had half a load of dishes. <br />
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I remember when we bought that dishwasher. We were at the home improvement store and the salesperson was showing us all the bells and whistles of their best appliances. We got to the dishwasher and he asked me if my cell ringer was on. I gave him a confused and reluctant <i>Yeeees</i>. Then he told me to put my cell phone in the dishwasher! I thought he was crazy, but you know what they say "always trust a salesman". Not really, but I was going with the flow. Then he shut the door and had J call my cellphone. The salesman grinned and looked at us like we should be just as excited as he was. My husband was nodding and looked impressed. I was still confused until I was informed that the dishwasher was so sound proof that you couldn't even hear a phone ring inside it. Which must be a big selling point for some. For me it just meant that if the kids hid my phone in the dishwasher I was never going to find it.<br />
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So that was the time that we had a fancy silent dishwasher. The next dishwasher came when we moved into our current apartment.<br />
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What's teeny, tiny, and beige all over?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT9fxvv__bT5J9nwpr7RvQJ9ilMNuHcV7RXU_C7IMDlx0s09xKvzqssweHDdzFZuCmlOk0Jag_io6LKNOPnKl6HBOWK2NPPQltF0xVtDTBUoSyiJVIUEMHjxaJKFesoG9MAeZmRIYLOv9/s1600/kitchen3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT9fxvv__bT5J9nwpr7RvQJ9ilMNuHcV7RXU_C7IMDlx0s09xKvzqssweHDdzFZuCmlOk0Jag_io6LKNOPnKl6HBOWK2NPPQltF0xVtDTBUoSyiJVIUEMHjxaJKFesoG9MAeZmRIYLOv9/s1600/kitchen3.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a><br />
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Our kitchen.<br />
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It's the kind of kitchen you would find in a camper. See that row of white drawers in the foreground? We installed them. The kitchen originally came with a whopping total of 4 drawers, 6 cupboards, and literally two feet of counter space. It would be perfect if you were a single minimalist living in the 1980's. It's okay though, because one thing it does have is a dishwasher. It's clunky, old and it is LOUD. The volume is like having a monster truck rally in our kitchen. And I am totally fine with that!<br />
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When I hear that dishwasher spraying and swishing, heating and drying, I am just reminded of all the dishes I am not washing by hand. Sometimes when the rhythm of the noise is just right I swear it is to the tune of the opening chorus from Les Miserables.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdniMzH02KNpYvatyZ3sW76YJWyQUKAZLGk8-D5TGF_ROeWCLWpF3m5gljZtYLIR7HB629lBImxvdrjuEMMSDkwv3a2T-HI5wIuPZYfGR1NXJ_oNxmm-sO18ay_Slu2i2Hr3LZfWKqKoQH/s1600/les.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdniMzH02KNpYvatyZ3sW76YJWyQUKAZLGk8-D5TGF_ROeWCLWpF3m5gljZtYLIR7HB629lBImxvdrjuEMMSDkwv3a2T-HI5wIuPZYfGR1NXJ_oNxmm-sO18ay_Slu2i2Hr3LZfWKqKoQH/s1600/les.png" height="177" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you are not familiar with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6jp_MKI_6w" target="_blank">The Work Song</a></i> from the French Musical then just imagine<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TISp0swKhkk" target="_blank"> the opening song from Frozen</a>. Pretty much the same thing.<br />
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My word for 2015 is "good". I am determined to look for the good in things this year and that's how I feel about my dishwasher. It's good. It's not the best, but it's good. It is a blessing.<br />
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I know this is a really bazaar assignment, but I want you to listen for your blessings today. There are going to be the obvious things like birds chirping or children laughing, but go even deeper.<br />
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I remember hanging out with someone and their heater kicked on. You could hear it rumble and she apologized because it was so loud.<br />
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No apology needed! We have heat. We can be warm. That's a blessing.<br />
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We all have a loud dishwasher in some form or another. Take that thing that could be considered intrusive noise and watch it become music to your ears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN47hjcI3J7RpRVJ8IR83DS3zM3VlDFnUR4l4BVe_ff6SSmpbiamnag03CCBdkPWhdx0Q6WE9ZLZ7deDRDgCrS_Ya-o2h99SzTu05FFXm4ccjRyzL0Q70mDGBGuO2H2kiQ6iDhpj0LGluj/s1600/136629-There-Is-Always-Something-To-Be-Thankful-For.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN47hjcI3J7RpRVJ8IR83DS3zM3VlDFnUR4l4BVe_ff6SSmpbiamnag03CCBdkPWhdx0Q6WE9ZLZ7deDRDgCrS_Ya-o2h99SzTu05FFXm4ccjRyzL0Q70mDGBGuO2H2kiQ6iDhpj0LGluj/s1600/136629-There-Is-Always-Something-To-Be-Thankful-For.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944345939768880457.post-29876220349044577492015-03-17T23:56:00.001-05:002015-03-18T09:00:41.629-05:0010 of the Worst Ways to Respond to Your Spouse's Insecurity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c8MVTXT9m9E3PapUn24kSP09QOCJ-TlAmCaVYl3q25uHXHRxpgxwZO8hxqYb-4vzFO0rcxMxrQ47WwC8iw2nfh4YxOg4FaJT1AXngLLfn8mwixL8Q-0bTmCz9kQzkr1knLxYyoYvBXHt/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c8MVTXT9m9E3PapUn24kSP09QOCJ-TlAmCaVYl3q25uHXHRxpgxwZO8hxqYb-4vzFO0rcxMxrQ47WwC8iw2nfh4YxOg4FaJT1AXngLLfn8mwixL8Q-0bTmCz9kQzkr1knLxYyoYvBXHt/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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I know <a href="http://www.messymom.com/2015/02/how-to-never-offend-anyone.html" target="_blank">I said I would steer away from lists that began with "What Not to Say..."</a>, but I have to vent for a minute. Don't get me wrong, my husband gives me some of the sweetest compliments. I brag about him all the time, but sometimes he sticks his foot in his mouth! Granted, we as women are often guilty of trapping them in our self pity, but everyone once in a while we just need a little reassurance. Am I right?<br />
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For example one time I was photographing a wedding and I was pregnant. It also happened to be a wedding my husband attended, AND his ex girlfriend was there too. She was not pregnant. She looked great in a beautiful dress and there I was at that awkward half way stage where I didn't have a baby bump, but I didn't have a waistline either. I was wearing my comfortable, but hideous shoes with plain slacks and a collared shirt.<br />
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So in-between the ceremony and the reception I was explaining how I just felt dumpy and insecure. My lovely husband did not respond with <i>Oh, whatever, you look fin</i><i style="text-align: center;">e! </i><span style="text-align: center;">or </span><i style="text-align: center;">All I see is the beautiful mother of my children.</i><br />
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Nope.<br />
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He said <i>"Well, you're working." </i><br />
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In other words, you do look bad, but you have a good reason.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaxCVddeV_G8-BX_t5SLX21wP8EaYC8q83Ic9CeabWyMlJEbF9KBGA5EEAGzjSXh-k-VI0d6o-Xwala9DCnonCU8im8GBFBWxpB_g1oTX0wct8UlnlYq5QK4Ix9M3r_sLFGLhyphenhyphenWKaIFm7/s1600/facepalm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaxCVddeV_G8-BX_t5SLX21wP8EaYC8q83Ic9CeabWyMlJEbF9KBGA5EEAGzjSXh-k-VI0d6o-Xwala9DCnonCU8im8GBFBWxpB_g1oTX0wct8UlnlYq5QK4Ix9M3r_sLFGLhyphenhyphenWKaIFm7/s1600/facepalm3.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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To all the husbands out there, whether she asks you if she looks old, frumpy, or unattractive the response is always <i>NO. No you don't. </i><br />
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It's simple. Just refute the insult no matter what. Give her a hug, tell her you think she's beautiful. <br />
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Let's have a practice round.<br />
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Wife: I feel like I look so fat.<br />
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Husband: You shouldn't feel that way. You look beautiful!<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DO NOT RESPOND WITH</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. I do too.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. It's a mom thing.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. You would be the perfect size in the 1800's</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Why does it matter?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. You just look fat compared to all of your friends. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">6. Well, what are you going to do about it?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">7. Would a procedure help? </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">8. What do you expect? You just had a baby.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">9. It could be worse.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Or the worst response of all would be </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Why don't you ask So and So what she does to look so good. </span></b><br />
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Unfortunately, I have heard almost all of these, although not about the fat thing. Except for one time when I did feel overweight and he said the 1800's comment.<br />
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I realize this message is going out to mostly women, but I just needed to get that off my chest. I think it goes back to the age old issue of women just wanting to talk about their feelings and men thinking we are inviting them to solve our problems.<br />
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Does anyone else have a husband that struggles with what I call "Foot in Mouth Disease"?<br />
Or maybe he got the memo and he knows better than to agree with you when you insult yourself.<br />
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We love them either way don't we? Zionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11180417908209217887noreply@blogger.com15