tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842281677319279822023-11-16T02:57:22.528-08:00Tutus & Tonka TrucksKatie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.comBlogger933125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-58834896696040219222016-05-10T19:38:00.000-07:002016-05-10T19:38:07.163-07:00My Summer Reading ListThe school year is coming to an end. Only three more weeks until summer vacation and I am more than ready for it to start. I can't wait to lazy mornings drinking coffee with a good book, having nowhere to rush off to and spending lots of time at the beach with the kiddos. Bring it on summer.<br />
During the school year I can hardly find the time to read. My goal this summer is to read more and watch tv less. So I made a summer reading list! Here is what I have so far on my to read list<br />
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What else should I add to my list? I'm up for any suggestions!Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-48675842144124775872016-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:002016-04-27T19:24:24.769-07:00This is how I Roe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In addition to expanding our family, teaching VPK and being a mom and milspouse I decided to step out of my comfort zone and become a small business owner. I signed on to be a fashion consultant for LuLaRoe. I've always loved clothes and feel prettiest in a cute maxi skirt or dress. And when I'm not looking to dress up my go to outfit is a pair of yoga pants with a baseball tee. Enter LuLaRoe. I was first introduced to this company when a fellow blogger became a consultant and when a student's mom started selling the clothes as well. I hosted my first party in December and was immediately hooked on their soft leggings and cute Randy tee's. After my party the husband and I started talking about me becoming a consultant as well.<br />
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If you know me you know this is something way out of my comfort zone. I'm not a sales person at all. I know nothing about running a business let alone how to start one. But I was intrigued. For one, the clothes are super comfortable. After a long day of teaching the first thing I did when I would get home was to throw on my sweatpants. I bought my first pair of leggings before hosting my pop up party and threw them on the minute I tore open the package. My husband came home later that day and could not stop talking about how cute I looked. Score! Two, I love the idea of a mobile shopping party. One that comes to your house. Now let me tell you, I hate lugging my two kids to the store. Especially when I live in a small town and the nearest target and mall is 40 minutes away. So a portable store that carries the type of clothing I would be buying anyway was a huge plus. And third I have a little girl. My princess loves clothes. Especially skirts or dresses that twirl and pattern leggings. It seemed like this company was made for me.<br />
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So here I am, anxiously awaiting to onboard and become a consultant with this amazing company. I pray every day this is the right decision for our family. As nervous as I am, I am also excited. This is a new adventure for me. One that could be an amazing opportunity for me. So wish me luck!!<br />
If you are new to hearing about LuLaRoe here is some info<br />
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And feel free to check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1266036210076689/?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">my group page</a> on facebook for some fun giveaway's and info on my upcoming launch party! Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-4826625704296731122016-04-17T17:47:00.001-07:002016-04-17T17:48:25.912-07:00Adventure Awaits! <br />
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I started blogging back in 2009 as a way to keep a journal of sorts about being a new wife and milspouse. I loved the connections I made through blogging and enjoyed having a "diary" to come to each day to write my daily thoughts and happenings. This blog has seen multiple deployments, two pregnancies, life with one baby, then 2 fifteen months later along with posts about our travels and other fun experiences.<br />
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My blogging became sporadic after I had my son. Life with two kids 15 months apart on top of dealing with a deployment was difficult to say the least. I started to feel disconnected to the blogging community that I once felt such a part of. My "life" could not compare to the life of the fellow mom's whose blogs I once hurried to read each morning. I felt frumpy compared to the other mom's who looked so beautifully put together on their blog and instagram pages. I couldn't lose the baby weight as easily as the moms who had babies younger than I did were able to and my outfits were not from Anthropologie or any of the other high end boutiques. My house was not something out of a DIY magazine and I had more Pinterest fails than successes. I also developed a bout of post-partum depression and anxiety which contributed to my feelings of inadequacy.<br />
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So I took a bit of a blogging break. I went back to work in the beginning of 2014 teaching VPK and blogging became a thing of the past. I finally grew out of my need to compare myself to other moms and instead adopted the attitude of "To each their own". I grew more confident in my role as a wife and mother and learned to embrace everything about this season instead of worrying about everything I was doing wrong! My self confidence grew and my anxiety and depression decreased. I felt like my old self again. <br />
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Lately I've felt a call back to blogging. I miss documenting everyday life and keeping a record of the fun things we did or the silly things that my kiddos did. And now that we are expecting Baby #3 I decided to get this blog back up and running.<br />
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Since I last blogged so many things have changed.<br />
-The hubby is home for the longest span of time in years. We are loving just living life as a "normal" family.<br />
-I love love love teaching. It is so rewarding and the fact that my kids attend the same school that I teach at is awesome. Not to mention my four day weekends are a major plus!<br />
- Instead of having a toddler and baby in the house I have a almost kindergartner and a preschooler. With two kids close in age I thought I'd never sleep again or get through the terrible 2's. But I made it. Life is never dull but I wouldn't change a single thing about it.<br />
-Last year we decided to try for one more kiddo. And the day after Thanksgiving we found out that God answered our prayers and that another baby would be joining our family in August.<br />
-In February we found out that Baby #3 is a boy!! We can't wait to meet this little guy<br />
-I'm loving being pregnant once again and enjoying every moment of this pregnancy<br />
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Stay tuned! I will be getting back into my habit of blogging once again!<br />
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<br />Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-3375485749644769542015-06-22T19:27:00.000-07:002015-06-22T19:27:06.411-07:00My Summer Reading ListIt has been awhile since I have blogged. Between work, my two kids and trying to train for a half marathon things have been pretty busy around here. However I am now officially on summer vacation and that means endless days spent at the pool watching the kiddo's splash around while I enjoy a good book or two! <br />
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So here is my official Summer of 2015 reading list. </div>
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1. All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank. I read my first Dorothea Frank book last summer and loved it. Looking forward to her latest release</div>
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2. The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe. This is the final book in the Summer Girl's trilogy and I loved the first two. A book about sister's, a summer spent at the beach and a side story line about dolphins. I'm in!</div>
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3. The Santangelos by Jackie Collins. Nothing says beach read more than a Jackie Collins novel</div>
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4. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. I've heard good things about this book and the sequel was released this past week</div>
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5. American Wife by Taya Kyle. </div>
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6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah</div>
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7. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I read After I do by this author last year and loved it so much. Def in my list of top ten books. Can't wait to read her latest</div>
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8. The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll</div>
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9. Enchanted August by Brenda Bowen</div>
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10. The Rocks by Peter Nichols</div>
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11. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave</div>
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12. The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry</div>
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13. Summer Secrets by Jane Green</div>
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14. Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner</div>
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15. Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews</div>
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16. Anchored by Kayla Aimee. I love books written by bloggers. Especially memoirs about pregnancy and motherhood. Can't wait to read this one!</div>
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17. The Good, The Bad and the Grace of God by Jep and Jessica Robertson. I love anything written by the family members of the Duck Dynasty clan</div>
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18. Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard. This books is along the lines of Bringing up Bebe and French Kids eat everything. Both of which I really enjoyed.</div>
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19.Yell Less, Love More. I def need this book. I feel like my days are spent referring and breaking up fights between my kids or begging them to listen to me. As you can figure out by this book choice I may sometimes have a problem yelling at my children rather than pausing and speaking calmly to them. Hopefully this book will be helpful</div>
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And there is my list. Any other books I should add?</div>
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Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-78285062427797168052015-02-15T12:21:00.001-08:002015-02-15T12:21:12.554-08:00Disney Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAQd_1OQXTY7Eb72HPMFSDwrqBSoIYYnPUZFLKz6eoFrkF3pkqwyufLnEpo1i7ypVm4Prl1WvVZ0SCTZkTExf4TlPYlUMNct3rvknfLqzy97jCFpfCqzHMNZg6B_M22JEWae7-WBrVDg/s640/blogger-image-212369801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAQd_1OQXTY7Eb72HPMFSDwrqBSoIYYnPUZFLKz6eoFrkF3pkqwyufLnEpo1i7ypVm4Prl1WvVZ0SCTZkTExf4TlPYlUMNct3rvknfLqzy97jCFpfCqzHMNZg6B_M22JEWae7-WBrVDg/s640/blogger-image-212369801.jpg"></a></div>We leave for Disney in four days!!! Words cannot describe how excited I am to take the kids. I may have even packed yesterday<div><br></div><div>We are staying right outside Downtown disney and although we got a four day park hopper will probably only do magic kingdom and Hollywood studios. I hear you can spend days at each of those parks. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm so excited to spend some quality family time at the most magical place on earth!</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-14286532964607289062015-01-26T17:58:00.001-08:002015-01-26T17:58:44.136-08:00Weekend recapAnd It has been forever since I last posted. I'm trying to make a habit to blog more frequently and figured I'd start with my weekend recap<div><br></div><div>Friday's I'm off so I use the day to clean, catch up on laundry and relax with the kids. This Friday I even squeezed my first run in two months in. It was amazing</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday the kids and I slept in and they spent the day playing with play dough and kinetic sand. Love things that will keep them occupied for hours. Saturday night I dropped the kids off at church for Parents night out. Since my husband is gone I went out with some friends. Shopping and dinner without kids was the perfect way to spend the night</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JpD6jv7ecvZ5dik2WDeVvvN_PM_PXA3kVPZ0Y27rMZkJz36cG37cgUOU0cF8_z4Na5mr0m4nLQeLVm5YkeOZOiz00ns5YJr6LqZYcd8ce9XQTf3jn3njMoRb2sFPsapU5S06RKffQ6k/s640/blogger-image-478414052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JpD6jv7ecvZ5dik2WDeVvvN_PM_PXA3kVPZ0Y27rMZkJz36cG37cgUOU0cF8_z4Na5mr0m4nLQeLVm5YkeOZOiz00ns5YJr6LqZYcd8ce9XQTf3jn3njMoRb2sFPsapU5S06RKffQ6k/s640/blogger-image-478414052.jpg"></a></div>And this view never gets old </div><div><br></div><div>Sunday we for up and went to church. Then came home and I went for a run with the kids. Well they rode their scooters while I ran. So much easier than pushing a double stroller</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmPUA9RfrApC9gFHTfkImnX3hZr0L40hsoiLFz6Fc-ce-C6K3qwnco56yAdP2mb3V3iu-ROoFy_SPe7IYDaH78nhPCw-xT0LTuBWh00UYUYoZzcp9RNHbiBuXvHYn-aeTHUKyg6Z4iWs/s640/blogger-image-2088988708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmPUA9RfrApC9gFHTfkImnX3hZr0L40hsoiLFz6Fc-ce-C6K3qwnco56yAdP2mb3V3iu-ROoFy_SPe7IYDaH78nhPCw-xT0LTuBWh00UYUYoZzcp9RNHbiBuXvHYn-aeTHUKyg6Z4iWs/s640/blogger-image-2088988708.jpg"></a></div>And in keeping with my New Years Tradition I curled up with a good book. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNMe4xzlYS_IwQaVjfiGQkoXkBG7oo90pqXw9IrMfgzX5uSfuPo3LC2SCM5VS0k4bvRgBZZVm8mRHX57le_hlqq4Qk3tROqlxBOwP24nAg5YOxkm6LftZodbZy-fTqSsTtcpR9CM30Sw/s640/blogger-image-162566467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNMe4xzlYS_IwQaVjfiGQkoXkBG7oo90pqXw9IrMfgzX5uSfuPo3LC2SCM5VS0k4bvRgBZZVm8mRHX57le_hlqq4Qk3tROqlxBOwP24nAg5YOxkm6LftZodbZy-fTqSsTtcpR9CM30Sw/s640/blogger-image-162566467.jpg"></a></div>Loving this read so far</div><div><br></div><div>And I finally went and saw This movie</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjzo1iEGBMSHuzW_w6VLMg3G8vbnv2lbGWpR7Fsdtkd95uuoS-pyaZJMTZxtOm57_lNWzLhHVxJFgQCNv-wjhgDDEQ5Ctpbw6KC0oI9IbY9l3z5bhZUDx5sy05OEkaq7pzHLdAlxGiFE/s640/blogger-image--195963641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjzo1iEGBMSHuzW_w6VLMg3G8vbnv2lbGWpR7Fsdtkd95uuoS-pyaZJMTZxtOm57_lNWzLhHVxJFgQCNv-wjhgDDEQ5Ctpbw6KC0oI9IbY9l3z5bhZUDx5sy05OEkaq7pzHLdAlxGiFE/s640/blogger-image--195963641.jpg"></a></div>I made it through without crying! I thought it was very well done. Bradley cooper was amazing. </div><div>I've read some reports where people think that the wife came across as negative but I disagree. When your spouse is always gone, in a war zone no less it's only normal that you wish things were different. </div><div>All in all its a movie everyone must see</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-86154363891718704932014-11-04T05:42:00.000-08:002014-11-04T05:42:00.078-08:00For all your Christmas Card needs-Use Minted!It's that time of year again! The holiday music has started playing, the Christmas decorations are up at every store you go and the Christmas movie marathon has begun on the hallmark channel. Toy catalog's have been mailed out and prepping for Christmas have officially begun. One of my favorite things to do in preparation for Christmas is to schedule a family picture session so we can have some new family photo's to put on our yearly Christmas card. Since we live so far away from our families I feel like Christmas cards are a way to connect with those we don't see on a daily basis. It's more than just a Christmas card. It's a way of keeping in touch with our family and friends and connecting with them. I love receiving cards from other's and I display them all around the house as part of our Christmas décor. I always keep a copy of our Christmas card as well and display our collection of cards from years passed. What a fun way to look back on family memories!<br />
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A few weeks ago I scheduled our family photo session and as I started planning our session I also started trying to decide where to get my Christmas cards from this year. Then an email from <a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&us=holiday" target="_blank">Minted</a> popped into my news feed and it was fate. A few friends had used Minted last year for their <a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&us=holiday" target="_blank">Christmas Cards</a> and Birthday invitations and I was impressed by the quality. They have a great line of <a href="http://www.minted.com/holiday-photo-cards" target="_blank">Holiday Photo Cards</a> that can be totally customized by you. You can choose whether you want your card to have one photo on it or multiple. You can also choose the shape of the card, the quality or design of paper, the colors, etc. It's awesome. And you can choose a variety of cards, customize them and then receive a proof of your card before you officially order it. That option is perfect for indecisive people like me.<br />
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Here are some of my favorite designs I found while browsing the <a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?of=no&num_photos_on_cover=three%2B%20photos&sort=popular_asc" target="_blank">Minted</a> site<br />
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This card design totally makes me want to plan Baby number 3 for a December arrival. This card would make the perfect Christmas card/baby announcement. Too cute<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Santa for the Stork Holiday Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/HYC/YV4/MIN-YV4-HYC-001ACHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-YV4-HYC" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santa for the Stork Holiday Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&all=true&of=no&sku=MIN-LU4-CHR&limit=400" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Painted With Joy Holiday Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/HYC/UR2/MIN-UR2-HYC-001HOLIDAY_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-UR2-HYC" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Painted With Joy Holiday Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&all=true&of=no&sku=MIN-LU4-CHR&limit=400" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bright Snowflake Spirits Holiday Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/HYC/UQO/MIN-UQO-HYC-001HOLIDAY_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-UQO-HYC" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bright Snowflake Spirits Holiday Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&all=true&of=no&sku=MIN-LU4-CHR&limit=400" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Festive Reindeer Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/LU4/MIN-LU4-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-LU4-CHR" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Festive Reindeer Christmas Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?it_category=n_holiday&it_id=c1i2h&all=true&of=no&sku=MIN-LU4-CHR&limit=400" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="A Family Affair Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/BGL/MIN-BGL-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-BGL-CHR" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="A Family Affair Christmas Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/photo-christmas-cards?of=no&num_photos_on_cover=three%2B%20photos&sort=popular_asc" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Love Tree Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/K51/MIN-K51-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-K51-CHR" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Love Tree Christmas Photo Cards" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-K51-CHR/love-tree?ccId=290213&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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As you can see I customized this card with pictures of my kiddo's. The caption on this card totally fits my kids!<br />
<img src="http://minteds7.global.ssl.fastly.net/is/agm/Minted/MIN-YA2-CHR_F_FRT?setAttr.text1={visible=false}&setAttr.text2={visible=false}&setElement.text3={<content>2014</content>}&setElement.text4={<content>MERRY%2520CHRISTMAS</content>}&setAttr.text5={visible=false}&setAttr.text6={visible=false}&setElement.text7={<content>THESE%3Cbr%2F%3ECRAZY%3Cbr%2F%3EKIDS</content>}&setElement.text8={<content>make%2520life%2520so%2520sweet</content>}&setElement.text9={<content>FROM%2520THE%3Cbr%2F%3EDAWSON%2520FAMILY</content>}&setAttr.img3={x%3D85.74342616%26y%3D262.634392592%26}&setAttr.img2={x%3D73.400312636%26y%3D60.39827252799999%26}&setAttr.img1={x%3D73.400312636%26y%3D40.397803159999995%26}&setAttr.photostock1={visible=false}&setAttr.photomask1={scaleX%3D1%26scaleY%3D1%26width%3D344%26height%3D375%26s7%3Afit%3Dcrop%26source%3D%40Embed%2528%2527is%2528Minted%253Flayer%253D0%2526rotate%253D0%2526cropN%253D0%252C0%252C1%252C1%2526cache%253Don%2526src%253D%2528p0%253A2014%2F11%2F02%2F21%2F42%2F23%2Fb3808e6c1ee14a49b9c7177439641526%2Fproxy-800%2529%2529%2527%2529%26}&setAttr.CHRISTMAS={visible=true}&setAttr.HOLIDAY={visible=false}&setAttr.NEW_YEAR={visible=false}&wid=338&imageRes=150&qlt=90,1&fmt=jpg&" height="289" style="left: -4.69px; top: -4.69px;" width="400" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Merry & Bright Hand Lettered Holiday Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/HYC/K53/MIN-K53-HYC-001CHOLIDAY_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-K53-HYC" height="265" id="main-image" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Merry & Bright Hand Lettered Holiday Photo Cards" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://minteds7.global.ssl.fastly.net/is/agm/Minted/MIN-YA2-CHR_F_FRT?setAttr.text1={visible=false}&setAttr.text2={visible=false}&setElement.text3={<content>2014</content>}&setElement.text4={<content>MERRY%2520CHRISTMAS</content>}&setAttr.text5={visible=false}&setAttr.text6={visible=false}&setElement.text7={<content>THESE%3Cbr%2F%3ECRAZY%3Cbr%2F%3EKIDS</content>}&setElement.text8={<content>make%2520life%2520so%2520sweet</content>}&setElement.text9={<content>FROM%2520THE%3Cbr%2F%3EDAWSON%2520FAMILY</content>}&setAttr.img3={x%3D85.74342616%26y%3D262.634392592%26}&setAttr.img2={x%3D73.400312636%26y%3D60.39827252799999%26}&setAttr.img1={x%3D73.400312636%26y%3D40.397803159999995%26}&setAttr.photostock1={visible=false}&setAttr.photomask1={scaleX%3D1%26scaleY%3D1%26width%3D344%26height%3D375%26s7%3Afit%3Dcrop%26source%3D%40Embed%2528%2527is%2528Minted%253Flayer%253D0%2526rotate%253D0%2526cropN%253D0%252C0%252C1%252C1%2526cache%253Don%2526src%253D%2528p0%253A2014%2F11%2F02%2F21%2F42%2F23%2Fb3808e6c1ee14a49b9c7177439641526%2Fproxy-800%2529%2529%2527%2529%26}&setAttr.CHRISTMAS={visible=true}&setAttr.HOLIDAY={visible=false}&setAttr.NEW_YEAR={visible=false}&wid=338&imageRes=150&qlt=90,1&fmt=jpg&" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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I also love that there is a variety of options of Christian Christmas cards as well. Santa Claus, reindeer and funny Christmas movies are a great addition to the season but we don't want to forget the real meaning of the season. This one I customized as well. Love it</td></tr>
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<img src="http://minteds7.global.ssl.fastly.net/is/agm/Minted/MIN-IQ9-CHR_B_FRT?setElement.text1={<content>Merry%2520Christmas</content>}&setAttr.text1={textAlign%3Dright%26s7%3AcolorValue%3D%23A1CCFF00%26s7%3Acolorspace%3Dcmyk%26s7%3AcolorName%3D%26}&setElement.text2={<content>THE%2520GRIFFIN%2520FAMILY</content>}&setAttr.text2={textAlign%3Dleft%26s7%3AcolorValue%3D%23A1CCFF00%26s7%3Acolorspace%3Dcmyk%26s7%3AcolorName%3D%26}&setAttr.photostock1={visible=false}&setAttr.photomask1={scaleX%3D1%26scaleY%3D1%26width%3D375%26height%3D224%26s7%3Afit%3Dcrop%26source%3D%40Embed%2528%2527is%2528Minted%253Flayer%253D0%2526rotate%253D0%2526cropN%253D0%252C0%252C1%252C0.8951406649616368%2526cache%253Don%2526src%253D%2528p0%253A2014%2F11%2F03%2F04%2F55%2F53%2F6f79ef30cfab418388479b53147f0122%2Fproxy-800%2529%2529%2527%2529%26}&setAttr.CHRISTMAS={visible=true}&wid=243&imageRes=150&qlt=90,1&fmt=png-alpha&" height="400" style="left: -4.67px; top: -4.67px;" width="288" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-BGL-CHR/a-family-affair?ccId=298999&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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<img alt="Christmas Pop Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/Q58/MIN-Q58-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-Q58-CHR" id="main-image" title="Christmas Pop Christmas Photo Cards" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-Q58-CHR/christmas-pop?ccId=292145&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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<img alt="Counting Blessings Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/WWX/MIN-WWX-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-WWX-CHR" id="main-image" title="Counting Blessings Christmas Photo Cards" /><br />
<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-WWX-CHR/counting-blessings?ccId=122545&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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I love this card in lieu of a Christmas letter. What a great way to share and commemorate memories <br />
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<img alt="Countdown List Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/Q59/MIN-Q59-CHR-001HOLIDAY_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-Q59-CHR" id="main-image" title="Countdown List Christmas Photo Cards" /><br />
<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-Q59-CHR/countdown-list?ccId=291401&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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<img alt="Book of Isaiah Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/IO0/MIN-IO0-CHR-001JCHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-IO0-CHR" id="main-image" title="Book of Isaiah Christmas Photo Cards" /><br />
<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/christmas-photo-cards/MIN-IN9-CHR/god-with-us?ccId=131251&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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<img alt="Santa's Little Helper Christmas Photo Cards" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/CHR/XZ9/MIN-XZ9-CHR-001CHRISTMAS_A_PD.jpg?_=undefined" data-sku="MIN-XZ9-CHR" id="main-image" title="Santa's Little Helper Christmas Photo Cards" /><br />
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I could keep sharing all of my favorite's but I will let you go to the <a href="http://www.minted.com/?matchtype=e&network={network}&mobile=&search=1&content=&creative=5182715759&keyword=minted&placement={placement}&adposition={adpos}&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=B_S_Brand_Alpha_All_USA&utm_adgroup=minted" target="_blank">website</a> and see all the cute options for yourself<br />
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On top of having cards to choose from they have party décor, personalized stationary, gifts and planners to choose from! And don't forget their coupon codes. They had a holiday sale on cards going on that I noticed while browsing the site. Now I'm counting down the days until I get our pictures taken so I can order my Christmas cards from minted. At least I have a few weeks to narrow down my selection. This will prove to be difficult<br />
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Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-8514156724520999052014-11-02T19:42:00.001-08:002014-11-02T19:42:53.825-08:00Fall fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iIPVSlEphkb8UwbKNR9DZVxUsSQR_SYXIuFdYZcI9f9d8Pvg22kd9cV46ahgXmIQ6bYBIPKEk4ZiE4uiO2bSfNcJmoE1gifICuqBERjFUKxyBGfr0hnwC8fLNR163zqLKAmu88wGI6Y/s640/blogger-image-1749279502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iIPVSlEphkb8UwbKNR9DZVxUsSQR_SYXIuFdYZcI9f9d8Pvg22kd9cV46ahgXmIQ6bYBIPKEk4ZiE4uiO2bSfNcJmoE1gifICuqBERjFUKxyBGfr0hnwC8fLNR163zqLKAmu88wGI6Y/s640/blogger-image-1749279502.jpg"></a></div>October just flew by. I can't believe it's already the 2nd of November and that we are less than 8 weeks away from Christmas!<div><br></div><div>Fall is my favorite time of year. The change of weather, all the fun activities and of course the holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas</div><div><br></div><div>This October the kids and I had no shortage of activities to keep us occupied. We went to numerous pumpkin patches, trunk or treating, Boo at the zoo, and celebrated Ethan's 2nd bday. Whew I'm tired from typing all of that! </div><div><div><br></div><div>I thought I'd share a few pictures with you all to document all the fun we've had this past month </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCcDwrwM25239eQ_htCKGadmdLKcdnOklBkGVUh6XsGS0jpTxKwRK5VeYYo6HL5WDVl6FQFumPdys1ST55Pm1mjKTM3xz_GOPYlKNJeXhyyHGoND7M_odHKbBX44fUlcxfxfYjhPtrz8/s640/blogger-image--314794174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCcDwrwM25239eQ_htCKGadmdLKcdnOklBkGVUh6XsGS0jpTxKwRK5VeYYo6HL5WDVl6FQFumPdys1ST55Pm1mjKTM3xz_GOPYlKNJeXhyyHGoND7M_odHKbBX44fUlcxfxfYjhPtrz8/s640/blogger-image--314794174.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-Z-Q88fA8b1AmmhNv-nMsaG8gI4hDxwHYPlnLqjnwg9EEe21gyEVglYX03nqBLPA1xE0Z8K8RkKiM5FsdQFGBQODCGVTmwm0656YgDYeTGM5KAtv0xw46fD_XcrUL65pd2QfaPCNHHU/s640/blogger-image-1920450910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-Z-Q88fA8b1AmmhNv-nMsaG8gI4hDxwHYPlnLqjnwg9EEe21gyEVglYX03nqBLPA1xE0Z8K8RkKiM5FsdQFGBQODCGVTmwm0656YgDYeTGM5KAtv0xw46fD_XcrUL65pd2QfaPCNHHU/s640/blogger-image-1920450910.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekhI3yI6FqSfBtMmRfi0mYIWah-a7hTy759cxGzE4fcWI362U-NgqrIRWbGYau_fkfNGT6U2XeHmKEqoApuv6cznDSyRd-zInnk2XzWJEfmZcRl3NexV70ROlHC4DFVI-J8VVKVcx75Q/s640/blogger-image-1424792207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekhI3yI6FqSfBtMmRfi0mYIWah-a7hTy759cxGzE4fcWI362U-NgqrIRWbGYau_fkfNGT6U2XeHmKEqoApuv6cznDSyRd-zInnk2XzWJEfmZcRl3NexV70ROlHC4DFVI-J8VVKVcx75Q/s640/blogger-image-1424792207.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhQFT3lJgbV4xvXE30ge5KhqYRaBWZlJc34U7nQo4PxDZ3WZDgcqizcnbtK-iR93TLQVzXCK5j07f1-x-8WvYKyRfdjis-TF7UhyZ5rXolndriXpyZSGvzZXLlPjmZcv53PeYqbnKBO8/s640/blogger-image--1916261761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhQFT3lJgbV4xvXE30ge5KhqYRaBWZlJc34U7nQo4PxDZ3WZDgcqizcnbtK-iR93TLQVzXCK5j07f1-x-8WvYKyRfdjis-TF7UhyZ5rXolndriXpyZSGvzZXLlPjmZcv53PeYqbnKBO8/s640/blogger-image--1916261761.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULqRXfhMsV0rflCY-b5uD9ImnokbRDxghlcGL4KnmX7S-lgvGW-CtjWX5SzrnTOlTMc7ShtreZwhxjUBabdARaVqS3HiPnOaQKHMj2sB1XzS3-UJVp2_F8lv4obHBSWKvkI3oSB9Zn9E/s640/blogger-image-415208990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULqRXfhMsV0rflCY-b5uD9ImnokbRDxghlcGL4KnmX7S-lgvGW-CtjWX5SzrnTOlTMc7ShtreZwhxjUBabdARaVqS3HiPnOaQKHMj2sB1XzS3-UJVp2_F8lv4obHBSWKvkI3oSB9Zn9E/s640/blogger-image-415208990.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkoIRITCtwXrnQsqgFKr7DpkTMsKaV1odO0Vq4XnW70Vbg5pWp0huE4L91sRTzbXrbnuv1fY2jRo52382DVJ1wuOFzAjQLSHKAMF9cLqTYEMDwxj-KL2MHQSs7gk-0ILtke1pVsY56zg/s640/blogger-image-663039742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkoIRITCtwXrnQsqgFKr7DpkTMsKaV1odO0Vq4XnW70Vbg5pWp0huE4L91sRTzbXrbnuv1fY2jRo52382DVJ1wuOFzAjQLSHKAMF9cLqTYEMDwxj-KL2MHQSs7gk-0ILtke1pVsY56zg/s640/blogger-image-663039742.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj76ptGOHoLwj_DlMe82AvNvmq0cDieCJL5ZTNgkDioZ1z-yqNq2CbNNqUEe8OBfcjNy1soyihbfvB8CF-XqpJW0AA9EaSyUVCSgiaEotkR_861IheWNJlEOwdHBXa0Hng1JKDwK5eMms/s640/blogger-image--1950137650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj76ptGOHoLwj_DlMe82AvNvmq0cDieCJL5ZTNgkDioZ1z-yqNq2CbNNqUEe8OBfcjNy1soyihbfvB8CF-XqpJW0AA9EaSyUVCSgiaEotkR_861IheWNJlEOwdHBXa0Hng1JKDwK5eMms/s640/blogger-image--1950137650.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH80CkwYcNwpQAzbUKJbM2RA2z4zFGAz0Jdfg2P8Os0MBbKdnAPU5nLrafSUGDoZ_ID38cXcy565aZNNn6wxGHmV5Jjmqep9rgq7OwCeC1b5BWaUUK6hoyH4CWvS0NnYdqzvI4dLPuYw/s640/blogger-image--1616559978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH80CkwYcNwpQAzbUKJbM2RA2z4zFGAz0Jdfg2P8Os0MBbKdnAPU5nLrafSUGDoZ_ID38cXcy565aZNNn6wxGHmV5Jjmqep9rgq7OwCeC1b5BWaUUK6hoyH4CWvS0NnYdqzvI4dLPuYw/s640/blogger-image--1616559978.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rBBpr1En-Ocb7KdaY2s8QZPpFe7_2CHwgj-qoqu2b1kzB3WO6dUscrYlQJfTAtQAb_b0hUUYdbZNeMGT2hu4E6AkT7vRc_aLI_ot5G0rLd58NcqyA_FPSoS6AzJXN3u0E5b5GNA6lzs/s640/blogger-image--1425417250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rBBpr1En-Ocb7KdaY2s8QZPpFe7_2CHwgj-qoqu2b1kzB3WO6dUscrYlQJfTAtQAb_b0hUUYdbZNeMGT2hu4E6AkT7vRc_aLI_ot5G0rLd58NcqyA_FPSoS6AzJXN3u0E5b5GNA6lzs/s640/blogger-image--1425417250.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I loved creating memories with my kiddos and carrying on traditions that have been started since they were babies. Every year my heart gets more and more full</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to a little break from all the fun fall festivities. Today was the first day in forever we had nothing planned. So we spent the day in our christmas pajamas watching the Christmas movie marathon on the hallmark channel and josh relaxing together. I have no intention on taking down any of our fall/Halloween decor till thanksgiving where we will then just swap out one set of decorations for Christmas decorations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am also enjoying finally having cool weather here in Florida and am envisioning nights spent curled up in bed with a good book. I finally jumped on the bandwagon and started Gone Girl. I've heard mixed reviews and was hesitant to start it due to disliking the author's other books. But I'm giving it a chance. Any other books I should add to my to read list?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I guess that wraps this post up. For those of you still reading, thanks for still being here after a long blogging break!</div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-47208845608250882602014-10-06T07:29:00.001-07:002014-10-06T07:29:40.717-07:00Here KittyGrowing up my family were strictly dog people. Despite going through a phase where I wanted a black cat named Salem due to my loving the show Sabrina the Teenage witch I was cured of that desire when my friends fat cat bite me during a sleepover in high school. I swear that cat was evil. <div><br></div><div>So when the hubby and I got married we quickly got a dog to add to the mix with a mutual agreement that we would never be cat people. Flash forward 6 years and 2 kids later and things changed</div><div><br></div><div>A few weeks ago a friends cat had kittens. She invited the kids and I over to see them and seeing how much Gianna loved them she asked if we wanted one. She also then may have mentioned that if she couldn't find home for them they'd have to go to the shelter. Immediately I said yes. You can ask my husband, he has to keep me away from pet stores or parks during animal adoption day. I would take them all home with me</div><div><br></div><div>I asked the hubby who at first was reluctant but seeing a pic of the kids with the kittens he changed his mind. And when she asked if we wanted two we quickly agreed</div><div><br></div><div>So Friday we became cat owners to two little sisters. One a cute gray tabby and the other a black tabby. Luna and Salem!</div><div>And for the most part they are super easy. They play, sleep and require hardly any litter box training</div><div><br></div><div>I'm still eating used to the meowing and claws. My puppies were always wet little things and having never had a car before I can't tell when there playing or irritated!but they love the kids. Ethan walks around hugging them yelling Mine Kittie and gianna holds them like a baby while walking around saying Shh, Shh, Shh. It's seriously the cutest thing ever</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_st_Oasn1phfZkQSd0LmcVrJ5A75A7YMl99aSw79TOuRtbhrHBXotqhsg982BlPPd4oDF3m5o1LP23nnZ4LS8AIMOChClQ5aQh8yfwpmqTAyUqbw2qqBm2eImiu3ahPLzn8ZpgyRWhQ/s640/blogger-image-212313503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_st_Oasn1phfZkQSd0LmcVrJ5A75A7YMl99aSw79TOuRtbhrHBXotqhsg982BlPPd4oDF3m5o1LP23nnZ4LS8AIMOChClQ5aQh8yfwpmqTAyUqbw2qqBm2eImiu3ahPLzn8ZpgyRWhQ/s640/blogger-image-212313503.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_st_Oasn1phfZkQSd0LmcVrJ5A75A7YMl99aSw79TOuRtbhrHBXotqhsg982BlPPd4oDF3m5o1LP23nnZ4LS8AIMOChClQ5aQh8yfwpmqTAyUqbw2qqBm2eImiu3ahPLzn8ZpgyRWhQ/s640/blogger-image-212313503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBcJ7YYwI5SU2ubvgPO_seCBrnMKM3442lO6d69GWt_2geUj-j9ysQ6hDKk5jUO21rgQG90qWkdpnLtQdezLTzjRwrdRvUBwY_7uHdmcNqzF74wiN6pbfneqrpBdSRyZstLRsnyD8nXQ/s640/blogger-image--846714039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBcJ7YYwI5SU2ubvgPO_seCBrnMKM3442lO6d69GWt_2geUj-j9ysQ6hDKk5jUO21rgQG90qWkdpnLtQdezLTzjRwrdRvUBwY_7uHdmcNqzF74wiN6pbfneqrpBdSRyZstLRsnyD8nXQ/s640/blogger-image--846714039.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGfHk-kMQX242OZ_cevgGtWk0rVDubxUYtAjsLnyqrUxH_R2QTH42yw2YO-nFXHz_FyawDtkD42dBHPX-_1lp891xtzqh_f3p-K6lG7ZAQ41g_P_mj2tf1ZvIM4baa8zl3bL8TwpChlU/s640/blogger-image-1291402414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGfHk-kMQX242OZ_cevgGtWk0rVDubxUYtAjsLnyqrUxH_R2QTH42yw2YO-nFXHz_FyawDtkD42dBHPX-_1lp891xtzqh_f3p-K6lG7ZAQ41g_P_mj2tf1ZvIM4baa8zl3bL8TwpChlU/s640/blogger-image-1291402414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UVGm4dKK1QiEKg0B3WxotHnb7KcqJtwU0nmRd4zWuaTVRZWslNE8DVql8t3OxyEFyWtWPaI5p3Q2DXda7fA35GHFnnHLcgzdyguT0-jshoIwna-SNIBlOOWBTHaRLCmjBKxhmLkiFEA/s640/blogger-image-669358422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UVGm4dKK1QiEKg0B3WxotHnb7KcqJtwU0nmRd4zWuaTVRZWslNE8DVql8t3OxyEFyWtWPaI5p3Q2DXda7fA35GHFnnHLcgzdyguT0-jshoIwna-SNIBlOOWBTHaRLCmjBKxhmLkiFEA/s640/blogger-image-669358422.jpg"></a></div>I guess now we are both dog and cat people </div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-22420730134450149112014-09-30T21:12:00.001-07:002014-09-30T21:12:02.146-07:00What I'm Loving!It has been awhile since I blogged! I will come back soon and fill you all in on what we've been up to but until then I thought I'd share with you all the things I have been loving lately<br />
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1. The fact that today is the first day of October. Time to finally bust out my Halloween decorations. Who am I kidding. I've had them out for a few weeks now. I love Halloween. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KJA-StEjCH_jqDmK0BTvLGl5RI5Lfr-gyHWhRExEBXKxAa9hHlk2E9-ZOPep7usaacn0fsKtZLeiTw7kx4VeX5Tl9L1gPIH8wmakTx-o_g2VB1O5ftJ7MLgSboy0GEjTVETz-9MktUU/s1600/44b01d4cf55ca84c0ac88b61925f4b5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KJA-StEjCH_jqDmK0BTvLGl5RI5Lfr-gyHWhRExEBXKxAa9hHlk2E9-ZOPep7usaacn0fsKtZLeiTw7kx4VeX5Tl9L1gPIH8wmakTx-o_g2VB1O5ftJ7MLgSboy0GEjTVETz-9MktUU/s1600/44b01d4cf55ca84c0ac88b61925f4b5f.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
This weekend will be full of Fall related festivities. Hayrides, pumpkin patches, Halloween pajamas, spooky movies and apple cider. Bring it on Fall!<br />
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2. These cookies. I bought them for the first time today after having a few had to hide them away. Eater be warned! You will consume the whole pack shortly after opening. Nom Nom<br />
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<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=AqgKBikjUvVyeM&tbnid=ikruJm3Mb51nPM:&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F3305161%2Fpumpkin-spice-oreos%2F&ei=tnwrVLrIOMrGsQSK1YKIBA&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGGojX2aRcxJd3oaL4vFUnn4iVFXw&ust=1412222522065445"><img class="irc_mut" height="207" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT74WeHmAOhZfH7isdYWh2urDvmut3OfFYlpxWMynNBjbWUXm1R" style="margin-top: 36px;" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. This Book</div>
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<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=35-npi96P7tp-M&tbnid=31NrlI7dkP-r5M:&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F10964.Outlander&ei=FH0rVOKWOI3isATlhYC4Aw&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGUrK8PnQ3MFbHNNah5UCyG9hwB2g&ust=1412222597046212"><img class="irc_mut" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRybOnT_q3oDdAvPRsGWy4depHi3FQP4QtaiOl5vQE4ROz_oYgn" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="209" /></a></div>
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When I first read the synopsis I was immediately disinterested. (A nurse from the 1940's while on vacation with her husband falls back in time to the 1700's and falls in love with another man.)</div>
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So not my type of book. I am not a huge fan of fluffy romance novels but after hearing rave reviews about it I bought it on my nook. And I can't put it down! It's that good. </div>
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4. Cooler weather!</div>
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It's finally cooling down here in Fl. Well if you consider 80 degrees cool. But at least it's a break from the stifling 90's</div>
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5. My Sam's Club Membership</div>
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With the hubby home now our grocery bill has increased a ton. My husband is a garbage pit. He consumes and consumes and consumes(without gaining weight of course) and Ethan takes after him. Half our grocery budget alone goes toward snack foods, whether it be fruit, veggies, crackers, popcorn, etc. So I decided we were going to get a Sam's club membership. And I'm so glad we did. We've saved so much money in the month we've had it its' not even funny. Plus I'm not going to the grocery store as much any more to get last minute odds and ends which is a major perk. Yay Sam's</div>
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6. Teaching</div>
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I am loving teaching. The kids in my class are so funny and sweet. And I couldn't ask for a better place to work. I am so glad I made the decision to go back to work this year. And although I miss my kids they are loving being in school and I think are enjoying the break away from me</div>
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Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-48181741097615332632014-08-25T13:56:00.002-07:002014-08-25T13:56:52.611-07:00What We've Been Up To<img alt="Especially during the summer months...one day you're rocking them the next day they're hitting home runs." class="pinImage" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/69/8b/9b698b0565ddaf8e5b41259398db35a1.jpg" style="height: 738px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 570px;" width="247" /><br />
Tomorrow I head back to work. It's been a little more than 3 years since I've worked and I'm nervous sad and excited all at the same time. Excited to do something I love, earn a little extra money for the family and for the mini-mommy break. Nervous that I won't do a good job and sad that I won't be a full time SAHM anymore. I have loved every second of these last 3 years and while I know that taking this job is the best thing for our entire family, I also hate the thought of having to push my babies out of the nest a little. The above saying is so true. Can't they stay little forever. <br />
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Gianna started dance at her new dance studio last weekend. We loved her last studio but didn't love the drive so we made a switch. This teacher I was told takes dance very seriously and is very disciplined. Just what Gianna needs. So we signed her up and in addition to ballet she gets to start tap. She loves walking around the house in her tap shoes and enjoyed her first class. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6xdEoLPFU6Ilsb98c_K1SuGVEtR4wTxGvyJZvTmk_16A7fuZk8KQsWFWjjSaMH_O4Velu88e3b8-kIvNyFlzLMoUqLIgsKlK4dmTeHvfDW3Wc6VZV8YSMWIQGOrU4Egh1hfMkcH6twg/s1600/photo+(40).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6xdEoLPFU6Ilsb98c_K1SuGVEtR4wTxGvyJZvTmk_16A7fuZk8KQsWFWjjSaMH_O4Velu88e3b8-kIvNyFlzLMoUqLIgsKlK4dmTeHvfDW3Wc6VZV8YSMWIQGOrU4Egh1hfMkcH6twg/s1600/photo+(40).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Aren't they so cute standing in line waiting to go in?<br />
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Since I will be a first time teacher in exactly one day I've been searching and reading every teacher blog, instagram account, book and article on pinterest that I can find. And of course as any teacher can tell you spending all my time and money on Teacher's pay Teacher's. My nights are now spent printing, laminating, cutting and gluing to make signs, decorations or center activities for my classroom. And don't get me started on book order's. I cannot wait to get my first book order in for my classroom!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9ogX5UJE2NIYz891RbGj0B6HBYLJqCcI5ONJVJZ9lwV8FwUjZ8M7TN7kI3QadL39SVmoyiH498ItRCY_LKfgdNILnZxjpPklGRbMgB9kjgUjCgI1u37hi7hE8DO1-GghyphenhyphenKf8lDKCPS0/s1600/photo+(38).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9ogX5UJE2NIYz891RbGj0B6HBYLJqCcI5ONJVJZ9lwV8FwUjZ8M7TN7kI3QadL39SVmoyiH498ItRCY_LKfgdNILnZxjpPklGRbMgB9kjgUjCgI1u37hi7hE8DO1-GghyphenhyphenKf8lDKCPS0/s1600/photo+(38).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've also been party planning. I can't believe that my little guy turns 2 in a few months.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ovQTC59AyQz8IPRtYbFOnN9wXCnXpVRzj9-flHTYw9lru1pZjZB5nK9-y54zMNhNeK24X2LPDZk1-4bdYXNg1duIxsdwLZqEV2WSYmhyphenhyphenUOjEFFJnx6G3bQeOBHp7z1H37H17vDkBDE/s1600/photo+(41).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ovQTC59AyQz8IPRtYbFOnN9wXCnXpVRzj9-flHTYw9lru1pZjZB5nK9-y54zMNhNeK24X2LPDZk1-4bdYXNg1duIxsdwLZqEV2WSYmhyphenhyphenUOjEFFJnx6G3bQeOBHp7z1H37H17vDkBDE/s1600/photo+(41).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every party we throw for the kids we realize that we want the next one to be even simpler and smaller than the last. Don't get me wrong, we love throwing parties for our kids but we'd rather spend the money doing fun activities with them than throwing it all away on food and extravagant decorations that are mostly for the adults to enjoy while the kids are this age. But today I finally decided what I wanted to do. A circus theme. I stayed away from it because my good friend threw her son a circus themed party last year and I didn't want to copy. But I came across this super cute party from one of my favorite bloggers and decided that I could keep it simple enough for my liking.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgxptFybuSfXAR9r7Wfz5MD_Xji_4llJpxkzFlI8nY_V1ArbcCfTh9cnfTh0k9nsempheU3V_ksdlcuRM-S7R6WbIXGkPb4_Mmj4sbi3hmJI4OSBmce_E5moFBmlnrueivjamOoiyuVA/s1600/invitecopeland.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgxptFybuSfXAR9r7Wfz5MD_Xji_4llJpxkzFlI8nY_V1ArbcCfTh9cnfTh0k9nsempheU3V_ksdlcuRM-S7R6WbIXGkPb4_Mmj4sbi3hmJI4OSBmce_E5moFBmlnrueivjamOoiyuVA/s400/invitecopeland.png" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://natalieleahandjosh.blogspot.com/2014/08/custom-invitations-tutorial.html#comments" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
How cute is that? I plan on making everything myself down to the cake and cupcakes. I figure we can get a piñata, play some corn hole and just let the kids run around and have fun. Easy Peasy!<br />
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And finally I've been trying to soak in as much relaxation time as I can. Currently I am hooked on Liane Moriarty's new book Big Little Lies. I love it.<br />
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And that's about it. I'll try to get back into a regular blogging routine soonKatie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-17736647570000410032014-08-21T19:15:00.001-07:002014-08-21T19:15:02.229-07:00What happens in Target stays in target<div>I saw this video about back to school and died laughing. This is so something my friends and I would do. Not to mention that shopping without your kids is truly a vacation. And target. Need I say more.</div><div><br></div><a href="http://youtu.be/OKD2kzXSX-k">http://youtu.be/OKD2kzXSX-k</a>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-47135043436324446412014-08-15T06:52:00.001-07:002014-08-15T06:52:39.265-07:00The Next Chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_-0v-x_0YX7qwwsAyLSaJEp8UydjyBs23b70KUI2M-1Kq9HYchJLXlH5eJScoujuBEnd2xs2KJSJU3gOFBikFlFp6X_1TyDndt-zpb23yoS4fsx-mKc4DZOS1lyJkezxon5cJMk7TwM/s640/blogger-image--1879859237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_-0v-x_0YX7qwwsAyLSaJEp8UydjyBs23b70KUI2M-1Kq9HYchJLXlH5eJScoujuBEnd2xs2KJSJU3gOFBikFlFp6X_1TyDndt-zpb23yoS4fsx-mKc4DZOS1lyJkezxon5cJMk7TwM/s640/blogger-image--1879859237.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's crazy to think that in a few short weeks I will be heading back to work. Teaching no less! When I met my husband I was working on my masters in special education. When I moved to NC the nearby colleges didn't have a program similar to the one I had been in in Wi. When I got hired doing behavioral therapy I needed to go to school for applied behavior analysis. So I never finished my masters program. I always intended to go back but then we moved to fl and I had two kids back to back. So here we are now</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I finally decided to put my background to good use and applied for a job teaching K-4 or VpK as it's called here on fl. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. And a little heartbroken about not being with my kids 24/7. However I know it's the best solution for my family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been in crazy teacher planning mode these last few weeks. Since I've never taught in a classroom setting before I've been stalking Pinterest, Instagram, reading every teaching books I can and hitting up all my teacher friends for advice </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next week I get to head into my classroom and start setting it up! It's all</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Becoming so real. I'm excited to see where this next chapter takes us</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-66592881596596758052014-08-14T05:40:00.001-07:002014-08-14T05:40:51.162-07:00I'm BackIt's been awhile since I visited this little<div>Blog of mine. These past few months have been crazy busy. We celebrated the hubby coming home, Gianna turning 3 and then we escaped for a much needed family vacation to Sanibel Island, Fl. Now we are all battling a nasty stomach bug and I have started preparing for going back to work! I'm going to be a teacher. Can you believe it?</div><div>But now I've started to ramble. I'll back it up to our amazing vacation.</div><div><br></div><div>Sanibel is one of my favorite places on earth. It's so peaceful and beautiful and makes you feel as though you've left the states and are secluded on an island. I am so blessed to be able to take my kids to someplace that holds such a special place in my heart. If my husband wasn't in the army we would pack up our house and move there in a heartbeat. However we have till wait till he retires before that happens. 9 more years to go. Until then we will settle on vacationing there every year</div><div><br></div><div>This vacation was eye opening in many ways. I slept like a baby, stressed less and really got to the heart about what was important in my life and what things needed to change once we got home. Funny how vacation does that to you. </div><div><br></div><div>It was so hard to come back, trying to get back into our routine and getting ready for school to start. It's been a crazy week of ordering things for the kids school, signing G up for her new dance class at a new studio, buying dance shoes and figuring out how I want to decorate my first classroom. So many new changes are coming our way. I'm so excited for this new chapter in our life. More on that tomm. Until then I'll share some vacation pics</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNBz45xhegnuwhbPyIx72Y2dSoOEyvENOo3eFk8zNbxUEownZwaa9IM00iroT6pNmqHe1XtWh9DQ2cbGQbrX3iSvynl16QIrG406qAiM2NCzwm6N-jSmup8RgKAaWfAYHWAMHCjoj-l8/s640/blogger-image--1916410181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNBz45xhegnuwhbPyIx72Y2dSoOEyvENOo3eFk8zNbxUEownZwaa9IM00iroT6pNmqHe1XtWh9DQ2cbGQbrX3iSvynl16QIrG406qAiM2NCzwm6N-jSmup8RgKAaWfAYHWAMHCjoj-l8/s640/blogger-image--1916410181.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQZ2WYBHFq5vVPjkfEV_quy8FRVs7mfmFzHi7T1eLH_j2ywxa2kCHwXFm0Hqh_MQdJabosfRnj5QNA0oiX48XL5kmr65wP_u80ooKXl3Hr867kkNVM4eJUKibvjsH2wftrA-71h3UI-8/s640/blogger-image-1593832913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQZ2WYBHFq5vVPjkfEV_quy8FRVs7mfmFzHi7T1eLH_j2ywxa2kCHwXFm0Hqh_MQdJabosfRnj5QNA0oiX48XL5kmr65wP_u80ooKXl3Hr867kkNVM4eJUKibvjsH2wftrA-71h3UI-8/s640/blogger-image-1593832913.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7V5FQQNIKNjXXzTj1EKZ3NhRtbhdEO98eKOJ3i61qRV9IjdE_Z-IdSTgcP-yxIWcUUVr4KzzLhZSmP3aIHvMDcIoSeAh7k2bkiWd2SsrRZBmyzU7ZBoH8fujQr59SRHY8lcUU9gCR0U/s640/blogger-image-1918708765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7V5FQQNIKNjXXzTj1EKZ3NhRtbhdEO98eKOJ3i61qRV9IjdE_Z-IdSTgcP-yxIWcUUVr4KzzLhZSmP3aIHvMDcIoSeAh7k2bkiWd2SsrRZBmyzU7ZBoH8fujQr59SRHY8lcUU9gCR0U/s640/blogger-image-1918708765.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLN-V69EyLgM0Na4ohc7LqleUF4axgw8k1fs9F3xFVRvO4-pa6qztG5c2PjA4hbRTPneA6NAZ5wjyZRRsoAiCtCtWLSEqPJhfbANLJ-bU6zIBRCU3YPsvcRqpoiU0u7eK6D9hAdu-wOhY/s640/blogger-image-1676912897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XZbq4OxKaXRH9JRgbsN5mA9vf4GIh6dXJc_ey41LJIha3lsfWwYHeZG27PhhTcobHplte14AShig7GiBBbVnhdSIVmi0rUM9X5PJpAixSDoHpHOhaSNj72qKb-us9JbxOwzm0g86mFo/s640/blogger-image--427235984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtSVSfiT8CIf3cx4bOVC24gO8khtdIzQqyarIdNDsKV8-E1hObeDW1KFNMwjvQPMhMTIW-rSGqw_oeGILUzCGb9JgdAmbXHO1ufzSYBqlGoBi7NH5eh3Dr1r6JAM8JWaofJ3QRsfzc_g/s640/blogger-image-87516538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtSVSfiT8CIf3cx4bOVC24gO8khtdIzQqyarIdNDsKV8-E1hObeDW1KFNMwjvQPMhMTIW-rSGqw_oeGILUzCGb9JgdAmbXHO1ufzSYBqlGoBi7NH5eh3Dr1r6JAM8JWaofJ3QRsfzc_g/s640/blogger-image-87516538.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HZJg0NZvMsoq3aceSEstWr8ErDFXE2DrbsVmUCUtP8IiMqHwioW1AjmVTN3zr_jijSd_RaMKv9JpcV4a3HRzteVhGkuHuJ5tO76FlK34QCzNJ-YsDP061rHPdjFcl85PwfkI_GqnYEg/s640/blogger-image-508609895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HZJg0NZvMsoq3aceSEstWr8ErDFXE2DrbsVmUCUtP8IiMqHwioW1AjmVTN3zr_jijSd_RaMKv9JpcV4a3HRzteVhGkuHuJ5tO76FlK34QCzNJ-YsDP061rHPdjFcl85PwfkI_GqnYEg/s640/blogger-image-508609895.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzHOm9NhyphenhyphenB9pyO8NflgsnU_43MPqo3uQGsQF6m7MPrWG3Utj8YDVx-0J5gb5jS3JB_h9v48LIAHyEhEzxhLtwqy8822IlZKyp0lzt-Ef8K3mMQp1kZPhLSH5ZLnnWFVqxlO8aylrAXR8/s640/blogger-image-1391965848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzHOm9NhyphenhyphenB9pyO8NflgsnU_43MPqo3uQGsQF6m7MPrWG3Utj8YDVx-0J5gb5jS3JB_h9v48LIAHyEhEzxhLtwqy8822IlZKyp0lzt-Ef8K3mMQp1kZPhLSH5ZLnnWFVqxlO8aylrAXR8/s640/blogger-image-1391965848.jpg"></a></div>Until next year Sanibel</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-17268166899157452602014-07-10T06:14:00.001-07:002014-07-10T06:14:02.917-07:00Ethan says<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcympwBUScLQf5T-K-mZf7TLKjA7DU7bZqZdyN0g1LowOGxHSHO3hz7iBL1spn9qq6mu7d6b6MbcAz4nqHkeK33S2kSnTa1yvq2sJZSOXDTu1oAceA0XgpU0WuegipQlq63XZkAMa_ZwU/s640/blogger-image--127207731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcympwBUScLQf5T-K-mZf7TLKjA7DU7bZqZdyN0g1LowOGxHSHO3hz7iBL1spn9qq6mu7d6b6MbcAz4nqHkeK33S2kSnTa1yvq2sJZSOXDTu1oAceA0XgpU0WuegipQlq63XZkAMa_ZwU/s640/blogger-image--127207731.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This crazy kid is talking so much lately. And some of his words for things are downright hysterical. So I thought I'd document it so I won't forget</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mena(banana) he wakes up asking for one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sissy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nana(Gianna)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daddy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mommy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mama( these three are said over and over like Stan in the family guy commercial)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Outside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ball</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Baba(cup)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Go way( go away)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uper Why(super why)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cses(yes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Night night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Apple</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What is it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No( his favorite word)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pee-pee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Potty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Baby</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pizza</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Luv you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bye-bye</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Miss you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bath</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Whale</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fishy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And unfortunantly his word for beach sounds more like B****. Oh well</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure there are plenty more that I am missing out on but this kid amazes me more and more each day with how much he picks up. And how much he is growing up. He's not my little baby anymore! And I totally forgot how much I love the 18mth-2 year old stage. It is so fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-22338238769040644932014-07-07T09:54:00.001-07:002014-07-07T09:54:57.461-07:00He's homeFinally after what seemed like the longest depnpyment ever the hubby is home. We went and picked him up Thursday night just in time to celebrate the 4th with our soldier. I have two happy kids and a complete family again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzA32DnUNUbbhSOFKzGV_45kwNnCxpWIHWZ_n5Qvk-MATr2BRfVof7nWw-VjVCUkR1fFxKJ460-NzjqXSJPo5MXM-NyzShWGehPh0d1-OGbEFg__hyphenhyphenHMhMNJFSrEtuq0i4QpbxGeZAFU/s640/blogger-image--821848943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzA32DnUNUbbhSOFKzGV_45kwNnCxpWIHWZ_n5Qvk-MATr2BRfVof7nWw-VjVCUkR1fFxKJ460-NzjqXSJPo5MXM-NyzShWGehPh0d1-OGbEFg__hyphenhyphenHMhMNJFSrEtuq0i4QpbxGeZAFU/s640/blogger-image--821848943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgbqjuWiXMRdj70c5Im4X4HBKFbAtaPa_ujPyD_E3NncgAtKcLwQ04FaELmlx8LzrWLYugBxxMDQfqQpwCgnpiwSyVUyRpDt8LQrSBzLVZE7ELLFn5e4ob9JX2R3RhEZTExlyG0UO3r0/s640/blogger-image--936384008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgbqjuWiXMRdj70c5Im4X4HBKFbAtaPa_ujPyD_E3NncgAtKcLwQ04FaELmlx8LzrWLYugBxxMDQfqQpwCgnpiwSyVUyRpDt8LQrSBzLVZE7ELLFn5e4ob9JX2R3RhEZTExlyG0UO3r0/s640/blogger-image--936384008.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuN-y_zoWp-BXqXBbNN-09hDi7k1sUjsvkLXqihaLFhjfgCU0cARkWKMy0Uaco6dkHNg54u-AuJgnruPV60U7l5bL0c6kPdPj7BOSpjyt05Gbih1wPI-GaOsO_H7RQXG3z8YbEmbxzxQ/s640/blogger-image--141781260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuN-y_zoWp-BXqXBbNN-09hDi7k1sUjsvkLXqihaLFhjfgCU0cARkWKMy0Uaco6dkHNg54u-AuJgnruPV60U7l5bL0c6kPdPj7BOSpjyt05Gbih1wPI-GaOsO_H7RQXG3z8YbEmbxzxQ/s640/blogger-image--141781260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PR5sfPUM6A5YBtSZqiEFlFego38aRryUIrB7P2M7uv7ny1-zJlJWdK4nAAUsllD5lXsWJfM2gMHWjM3XzKFt6638m-g9zIDbsWXP7tIR73MMdsOSbPR7oPM6k_02l6HC8kLrnceV9cw/s640/blogger-image-648859588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PR5sfPUM6A5YBtSZqiEFlFego38aRryUIrB7P2M7uv7ny1-zJlJWdK4nAAUsllD5lXsWJfM2gMHWjM3XzKFt6638m-g9zIDbsWXP7tIR73MMdsOSbPR7oPM6k_02l6HC8kLrnceV9cw/s640/blogger-image-648859588.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmobt5dUjzE7vm0WfIflRgyCJRwearZ11-BvJPhzKRSu6VK8nhovbGbgymCoupt4wbICoOYZ2h3EOeErbdX2e1XTZUVouUzxaPXfSBAtJW9quQov_OeT34jxYkwrKpA641g4bvRtUUgk/s640/blogger-image-2133752086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmobt5dUjzE7vm0WfIflRgyCJRwearZ11-BvJPhzKRSu6VK8nhovbGbgymCoupt4wbICoOYZ2h3EOeErbdX2e1XTZUVouUzxaPXfSBAtJW9quQov_OeT34jxYkwrKpA641g4bvRtUUgk/s640/blogger-image-2133752086.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybY490-m5os7ZyIYzanc8kHU9o6B80KQw5LaI148l7CNZfXUCFHI0mBvDAikOW-UXjSy3k6tNsgo9ik9bg3xZX0O4Wljs7t3TbFuJLwXyHApSTsogmzDKraHJVAPU-HfriIgU7R4qdr0/s640/blogger-image-196943450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybY490-m5os7ZyIYzanc8kHU9o6B80KQw5LaI148l7CNZfXUCFHI0mBvDAikOW-UXjSy3k6tNsgo9ik9bg3xZX0O4Wljs7t3TbFuJLwXyHApSTsogmzDKraHJVAPU-HfriIgU7R4qdr0/s640/blogger-image-196943450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCcX-EeQug7EGvOKdYdgg1y_5dv29fEHBEGEcUUW_vMalHhFd32iHfctJLDjLJZgZ4UhbpcB1daDY4P39c2dPoKBY3ZZhhdOMgxc9gAzgajp4VMUxOs-RhxUhntuKfgsNu1GgcqcNFBU/s640/blogger-image--1337767847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCcX-EeQug7EGvOKdYdgg1y_5dv29fEHBEGEcUUW_vMalHhFd32iHfctJLDjLJZgZ4UhbpcB1daDY4P39c2dPoKBY3ZZhhdOMgxc9gAzgajp4VMUxOs-RhxUhntuKfgsNu1GgcqcNFBU/s640/blogger-image--1337767847.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn2pYDT93w3ZFjxa_hAb4vejVbkr5rdvZhowhGxfWQDpR9xY7HIOhfjRZkAipaoQL84Vata7K3f_uNYUAs1hyvXAn9R_fFzFNwUN8RS4HfbVBGJ8ir3j5pBf42TulUOL90Nm3TOTo8RM/s640/blogger-image-1600612870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn2pYDT93w3ZFjxa_hAb4vejVbkr5rdvZhowhGxfWQDpR9xY7HIOhfjRZkAipaoQL84Vata7K3f_uNYUAs1hyvXAn9R_fFzFNwUN8RS4HfbVBGJ8ir3j5pBf42TulUOL90Nm3TOTo8RM/s640/blogger-image-1600612870.jpg"></a></div>Now that daddy's home I've become chopped liver to Gianna. Ethan has become super attached to me however. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think both kids are loving not having to fight one parent for attention. Their fighting has gone down considerably along with their temper tantrums. Both have become their usual easy going selves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gianna does cry every time he goes outside or walks out of her sight of vision. She instantly panics and asks me where he went and when he'll be back. Thankfully he will be home for awhile this time and we won't be preparing for him to leave in a few months like usual. I know she will get over her fear of him leaving again and seeing how much she loves him just melts my heart </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are all enjoying being together once again and trying to adjust as well. Luckily in a few weeks we leave for our vacation and will have a solid week of quality family time without the daily interruptions of everyday life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Welcome home babe. We've missed you</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-13908979670565133742014-07-02T07:58:00.001-07:002014-07-02T07:58:30.082-07:00Happy early 4th of JulyOne of the local churches in town had a pre- Independence Day celebration on Sunday. I loaded up the kids and headed off to the festival, mostly just to keep us as busy as possible until the hubby comes home<div><br></div><div>It ended up being a total blast! The kids got their faces painted, balloon animals, and loved jumping on all the bounce houses. My three year old put some teenagers to shame on the obstacle course and the band Anthem lights was there to play for entertainment. Perfect way to end our last weekend without daddy</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXlWHpW7dqlIBp0Fk83JvWqIVM22hc7u3w3XczM45utE_0yh3dJyHTI37WaH1w5PkyyeCxIoVi1FYeW5qLeIFNM687LnLm0zDP8Rh3NWOF1bUv8h6AwGSnaSw5lX8uAmpQQzjv88B2TE/s640/blogger-image--693785197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXlWHpW7dqlIBp0Fk83JvWqIVM22hc7u3w3XczM45utE_0yh3dJyHTI37WaH1w5PkyyeCxIoVi1FYeW5qLeIFNM687LnLm0zDP8Rh3NWOF1bUv8h6AwGSnaSw5lX8uAmpQQzjv88B2TE/s640/blogger-image--693785197.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriQ_MX9Uu1ibKPiK97WbADiqqoOMm3k-THRShLcOojfId7X36zHzMbdPBTUyI8_hCDwclQn6BhovfITQuUfLwj37s93z3q9AlNV5YeBzZxwJRPqqndX6hviWTukstoXELSDEwAEtJuiY/s640/blogger-image--2023221380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOBgiKWGiuFYDnyWIKvb6_rfFpVKGlfX_NEiKlbfU55RqGiTgznm4q42wrI8eQsESsHdj-iskdmml4pS6ZgkC-F_TXdv_yOjOBptoxrLWi0jLH-lGlW9zW8WgLsso6WKi0kx1ztxbIXk/s640/blogger-image--12038542.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rNR_Fwpcln2C10zKQ2TkL1zlOEy2xKLz8Yc8pJgRVkcJmiJFCElFMoqk9vwETudI7kNlszfgT7A57OcDVF6L8NK3WAIDgiCl8u8qlnnvhvW3Z38myhrKQcRjy8G_07OUQ35BUNZRSL8/s640/blogger-image--254525112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rNR_Fwpcln2C10zKQ2TkL1zlOEy2xKLz8Yc8pJgRVkcJmiJFCElFMoqk9vwETudI7kNlszfgT7A57OcDVF6L8NK3WAIDgiCl8u8qlnnvhvW3Z38myhrKQcRjy8G_07OUQ35BUNZRSL8/s640/blogger-image--254525112.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-84499741384717632902014-06-26T07:36:00.001-07:002014-06-26T07:36:17.212-07:00The Finnegans Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWzA2RFzL9dAyV0q6Fgn21dJpW0-VGOg8fLPFe9XCQmamyB0rfBCCijLHuIYVtHd2vEPe2Sq3aFahKmJm3KK385YbdHHi9m0puAIqgLzLIbI4B2GzByAQixgQBHrpBqNdAXiQSbrgplc/s640/blogger-image-1853522227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWzA2RFzL9dAyV0q6Fgn21dJpW0-VGOg8fLPFe9XCQmamyB0rfBCCijLHuIYVtHd2vEPe2Sq3aFahKmJm3KK385YbdHHi9m0puAIqgLzLIbI4B2GzByAQixgQBHrpBqNdAXiQSbrgplc/s640/blogger-image-1853522227.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I snapped this pic of G at the park yesterday and as I was taking it I couldn't get over how big she looks. Next month she will be 3. 3! Where did my baby go?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It seems like just yesterday I brought her home from hospital. In fact some days I wish we were back at those first few months of newborness. How I miss this days. But in reality she will be starting preschool in 2 and will no longer be at home with me 24/7. Good thing I'm teaching at the school she will be attending preschool right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't imagine life without this crazy kid of mine. She is sassy, stubborn, strong willed, yet sensitive, sweet, warm hearted and generous. And she is smart. So smart. She picks things up easily and loves to learn. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She loves ballet, princesses, swimming in the pool like a mermaid, going to the beach, and playing dress up. She has a slew of 8 dolls and stuffed animals that have to go everywhere with us and at night she sleeps with all those animals along with multiple blankets. Oh and she still sleeps with me. She will not sleep in her room. And in fact can't sleep unless she's snuggled as close to me as she can get. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But don't let the princess stage fool you. She loves playing cars and dragons with her brother and she is fearless when it comes to the sport of furniture climbing and diving. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then there's Ethan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh5A5G0FF0TOQR_k8o7hRzR-wl3OWkTLarn-K_iiJi-DWN055BRvrOhSYqbtYFbFmeXayZpvqp1SPqerOfRkYrm9RsG33zMky8FWCSrTm_Vtvxb3nMG623m96uxOtQ9lLP7i8xH-1k4M/s640/blogger-image-894404207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh5A5G0FF0TOQR_k8o7hRzR-wl3OWkTLarn-K_iiJi-DWN055BRvrOhSYqbtYFbFmeXayZpvqp1SPqerOfRkYrm9RsG33zMky8FWCSrTm_Vtvxb3nMG623m96uxOtQ9lLP7i8xH-1k4M/s640/blogger-image-894404207.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I forgot how much I love this stage of toddlerhood. At 20 months we aren't quite to the terrible 2's and we are over the hardest parts of babyhood. Every day this kid learns and does something new. He's my go with the flow child. A little more sensitive than Gianna although he's starting to stand up for himself more and more. He probably listens and follows instructions better than Gianna does. He is a mommy's boy though that may change once daddy gets home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He's my little goof ball. Always laughing and smiling. Right now he may be pouring a juice box over his sister's head and laughing hysterically. It's only payback for all the million things she had done to him</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He loves playing with cars and dinosaurs. His favorite show is super why and he loves dancing to the music. He could spend all day outside and when it comes to the pool or beach he is fearless around water. Walks right in and tries to swim. Such a water baby</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Life with these two can be tiring, frustrating and stressful but most days it is so fun and rewarding. Lets he honest. I'm not one of those parents who can't wait for her kids to grow up and leave the nest. I think I will always want them home with me. So time please slow down. My kids are growing up way to fast for my liking</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-30550574080917066282014-06-17T08:09:00.001-07:002014-06-17T08:09:10.792-07:00What I'm LovingI'm Loving<div><br></div><div>1. This Florida weather. My parents always try to get me to move back home to Wi. They fail to forget that we are stationed here for the next few years! But even if we could move I don't know if I could give up this amazing weather. In fact I think we will stay permanent floridians even after the hubby retires. And here's why</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Qk7zH1mqL7Pp9r61Ps-qbx4JQAH-Rc2VWG_rH9EXXXsLKDoEdk_IWGpJRYKbyDB-esHehjov2wZOFMzsozUeqkvc6bL-ZIAuUcTGntKDjg7DP_nouzFryRfYppCpkm17WgySep6wLQ/s640/blogger-image-1060746548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Qk7zH1mqL7Pp9r61Ps-qbx4JQAH-Rc2VWG_rH9EXXXsLKDoEdk_IWGpJRYKbyDB-esHehjov2wZOFMzsozUeqkvc6bL-ZIAuUcTGntKDjg7DP_nouzFryRfYppCpkm17WgySep6wLQ/s640/blogger-image-1060746548.jpg"></a></div>Impromptu beach days. It's like a vacation every day around here.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Planning my classroom!</div><div>I can't believe I will be going back to work in a few short months. I've been spending lots and lots of time on Pinterest planning activities and themes for my soon to be classroom. This camping theme is adorable</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIX7cmfzDetbWCFLOalfkSt1hE1-9tt9gRgyeQSgvkrkvPTc-YTEIHAmqFPX4OEShV3J1ye6WavYFQpw4Vh2nIbChGXxGnD3sjhI9roruIWNbCKlKiKlIAGSPRYrs-MLSYx5qoDFezTY/s640/blogger-image-1630601227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIX7cmfzDetbWCFLOalfkSt1hE1-9tt9gRgyeQSgvkrkvPTc-YTEIHAmqFPX4OEShV3J1ye6WavYFQpw4Vh2nIbChGXxGnD3sjhI9roruIWNbCKlKiKlIAGSPRYrs-MLSYx5qoDFezTY/s640/blogger-image-1630601227.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>3. AdvoCare</div><div>My parents and brother are all doing the AdvoCare cleanse and sent me the kit so I can join in. I'm on day 3 of the ten day cleanse and have lost 3 pounds. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYeZgerQIgLExuU7kOFAJqojIEjyZPnn_dLQCbm-2JHil2PF_9P49gRMZOSHU8p_LWeZWIlkw5Nib9EPuMCdjfrv3A7BfNTuvOb84JkIh19m10z7k2sLzCbdkEXIjVtwwwoya46NEBew/s640/blogger-image-1609713260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYeZgerQIgLExuU7kOFAJqojIEjyZPnn_dLQCbm-2JHil2PF_9P49gRMZOSHU8p_LWeZWIlkw5Nib9EPuMCdjfrv3A7BfNTuvOb84JkIh19m10z7k2sLzCbdkEXIjVtwwwoya46NEBew/s640/blogger-image-1609713260.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Operation get fit for the hubby and our vacation is in full swing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. The library</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been devouring books lately and we all know books can be expensive. Sure having a book cuts down on the costs but I'm weird and prefer the feel of a book over the nook. Plus I can't use my nook outside. So the kids and I have been hitting up the library a lot. Tomm starts the summer program for the kids and Gianna is moving on up to the story time/craft group for 3 year olds! No more mom and me lap sit for her :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBerr64Lk2pEFU8xBuWCjJdwisp48tfINLbhTLDDWQOspPIVnIxjoZDBie1czS92nhQqw75IisXSAzQCHsDHV1YGisr6CgMhT4ZoJSLwVHz9I-bIJsi9Ax0PVYA0fGbGmC-X1S6tvZrs/s640/blogger-image--1578501646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBerr64Lk2pEFU8xBuWCjJdwisp48tfINLbhTLDDWQOspPIVnIxjoZDBie1czS92nhQqw75IisXSAzQCHsDHV1YGisr6CgMhT4ZoJSLwVHz9I-bIJsi9Ax0PVYA0fGbGmC-X1S6tvZrs/s640/blogger-image--1578501646.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5. Summer days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0RYxNNCYHmUa5wuaTxHqzAkDCurDKXHZCmnV2nEVemka8tBzw-EUf00gnnE37LcJyqZA1Mfq7MiwRY-VY3B52fhkJE_8eQaigP1TDaC35BrXrT3VZHC4uvfq4sWFkSdXNH6yFGeQBTg/s640/blogger-image-1194643725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0RYxNNCYHmUa5wuaTxHqzAkDCurDKXHZCmnV2nEVemka8tBzw-EUf00gnnE37LcJyqZA1Mfq7MiwRY-VY3B52fhkJE_8eQaigP1TDaC35BrXrT3VZHC4uvfq4sWFkSdXNH6yFGeQBTg/s640/blogger-image-1194643725.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFyRN-Hs4AvHrLTfIgj8c393k4uDEaYks7FhSRvUOhWDpNXJWvZZDyoJj56cwVnKOYMA7d1C9Jn0ej-3Y71w9rw_OU8tSpmJpIPkTwPQ1z-3OoS7r3j6cXSWL2cdehaNKadjWUA6YKuE/s640/blogger-image-687908664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFyRN-Hs4AvHrLTfIgj8c393k4uDEaYks7FhSRvUOhWDpNXJWvZZDyoJj56cwVnKOYMA7d1C9Jn0ej-3Y71w9rw_OU8tSpmJpIPkTwPQ1z-3OoS7r3j6cXSWL2cdehaNKadjWUA6YKuE/s640/blogger-image-687908664.jpg"></a></div>What is it about summer that just screams fun. Even if it's just stopping to enjoy cupcakes and ice cream after a day at the beach. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6. These goofy kids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXAI_IVe1kQuMhR2-rUz6gzFNSq93UoKzRocvwIxd29lY2pPhbuoZTz5P7-j96nuw8zweDTeNVv0HIiS_yOF7b3XvnSYd8ctEdotEM-mpuzot7ryz2aE-vlMd4ac2eh3xWoOXotyh6gA/s640/blogger-image--1065576973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXAI_IVe1kQuMhR2-rUz6gzFNSq93UoKzRocvwIxd29lY2pPhbuoZTz5P7-j96nuw8zweDTeNVv0HIiS_yOF7b3XvnSYd8ctEdotEM-mpuzot7ryz2aE-vlMd4ac2eh3xWoOXotyh6gA/s640/blogger-image--1065576973.jpg"></a></div>He's really coming into his own lately. He is talking more and more and is starting to show interest in more things. He's def not a baby anymore. He loves to make me laugh and yet is more sensitive than his sister. He is so easy going and go with the flow. I love this boy of mine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A-EomQCE3TIR4UZwdYrlsa3WDWIqxfw5oW3fEzCjfkTqStRG4LmKi8SnQlG8PRaiMfy5j2KWJDnmaUdn4OwATwcw7YJfvnfiAmSFFujNHT4dH0IU8UVPdo-CYsM4yyMIi5_SaUDxAKU/s640/blogger-image-92913539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A-EomQCE3TIR4UZwdYrlsa3WDWIqxfw5oW3fEzCjfkTqStRG4LmKi8SnQlG8PRaiMfy5j2KWJDnmaUdn4OwATwcw7YJfvnfiAmSFFujNHT4dH0IU8UVPdo-CYsM4yyMIi5_SaUDxAKU/s640/blogger-image-92913539.jpg"></a></div>And when did this one get so big. Swimming lessons, dance camp, preschool in the fall. I still remember her newborn days. Did I mention she turns 3 in a month. Please stop growing up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7. The final countdown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8NqOUhVFMPeoJ3WpkB_xxbPKf1IXggEekuZs3dnhc0noHsl3OBXIETeMQQpeUHIk_SvoOdhL7CPQPuWFvm3YrMCAi_W4bK09mVPwx8AGhS_9NlJaqQmL3og8I84QvsuWR_NuicZsVIM/s640/blogger-image-1798511615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8NqOUhVFMPeoJ3WpkB_xxbPKf1IXggEekuZs3dnhc0noHsl3OBXIETeMQQpeUHIk_SvoOdhL7CPQPuWFvm3YrMCAi_W4bK09mVPwx8AGhS_9NlJaqQmL3og8I84QvsuWR_NuicZsVIM/s640/blogger-image-1798511615.jpg"></a></div>We are weeks away from the hubby coming home. It can't come fast enough!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What are you loving these days?</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-62423801702681581832014-06-16T06:30:00.001-07:002014-06-16T06:30:59.051-07:00RefreshedThis past weekend was just what I needed to recharge my batteries. I've always said that the last month of deployments are the hardest. For us at least. It's when shit really starts to hit the fan and you barely have the energy to deal with it.<div><br></div><div>If you read my post last week ranting and raving about this deployment I'm sure you'll understand. After I posted it my husband emailed me to say it sounded a little harsh. I laughed and responded that it was meant to be. I'm done when it comes to this deployment. I'm stressed and tired. The kids are too and just wan their daddy home. Plus if I have to do one more thing to the yard I'm going to scream. Luckily I did hire a lawn service to help out this deployment. Such a life saver. </div><div><br></div><div>I also told my husband I got a lot of private emails from fellow milspouse bloggers who said they were able to relate. It's sad that as a milspouse you always have to put on a good front. And when you do let loose and vent people respond negatively. Well, you knew what you signed up for. Or your looked upon as complaining about your spouse. Unless your calling to ask me how you can help than you should keep your opinions to yourself!! I've always used my blog as a online journal and as a place to vent. I'm not going to change now. Ok end rant. I'm getting way off topic</div><div><br></div><div>Back to this weekend. It was so good for the soul. Earlier in the week I had signed the kids up for Parents night out. A local church puts this on once a month and for 15 bucks a kid you get four hours of free time. The kids are provided with dinner and they have lots of activities to keep the kids entertained. After paying a few bills I hadn't expected I debated about canceling the kids spot at PNO. However as I went through the mail one day I accidentally opened my husbands Father's Day card from my parents. And inside was a check. So I treated myself to that money. Technically I've been playing both mom and dad these past few months right!! (Don't worry I told my hubby I took his check) anyway I dropped the kids off and didn't look back. </div><div><br></div><div>Two friends who also had their kids in PNO and I went out for a nice dinner and then we went to see my boyfriend in his latest movie</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzda7sri8QMrbStf1tBoWyL5eQs4O0nOiJR3sRB9y58ay1uws-4NNekA9LAAwlHzq1KAYfYT-gKoJHYXYcX_X24mitGnp-SIhdKPUmeytQ-xqNpRE0A4mqUfc1QVSIruiq1fNVCTRp2Cg/s640/blogger-image--1826007213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzda7sri8QMrbStf1tBoWyL5eQs4O0nOiJR3sRB9y58ay1uws-4NNekA9LAAwlHzq1KAYfYT-gKoJHYXYcX_X24mitGnp-SIhdKPUmeytQ-xqNpRE0A4mqUfc1QVSIruiq1fNVCTRp2Cg/s640/blogger-image--1826007213.jpg"></a></div>2 hours of non-stop laughing. I literally had tears rolling down my face through most of the movie. Now it may not have been that funny of a movie or a good one for that matter. All I know is that I needed to laugh. And that movie delivered. We did miss the ending though since we had to go pick up our kids but we all agreed that that movie was just what we needed. And who doesn't want to spend two hoes staring at Channing Tatum</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday Gianna had swimming lessons. Afterwards we ran errands, went to a Mary Kay party and then came home where we all took a 4 hour nap. We woke up to a friend asking us over for dinner and off we went. We spent the night at our friends pool, where the kids enjoyed swimming and us mommies enjoyed a few drinks. My friends husband is gone too and she has three little ones. It's always nice to talk with someone whose in the same situation as you and who is just as stressed or frustrated. You can pour out your feelings without being judged. We both ended up texting the other after I had left saying that that night was much needed.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday was low key. We went to church and headed home. The mood was somber in our house as we all really missed the hubby. Gianna especially kept asking for him to come home. After nap I tried to clean out my car but Murphy stuck it to me once again. Neither extension cord worked, nor did the shop vac or vacuum. So I gave up and the kids and I headed inside where we popped popcorn and had movie night.</div><div><br></div><div>Now that's it's Monday I feel ready to do quiet the week after such a relaxing weekend!!</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-44197622050957228852014-06-15T18:55:00.001-07:002014-06-15T18:55:45.495-07:00Dad'sDad's get the short end of the stick most days. Tv shows portray them as complete morons, sentimental commercials about parenting are geared more towards the mom's and there are countless books about the differences in men and women in regards to parenting and marriage. <div><br></div><div>I myself am guilty of thinking my ways of parenting are superior to my husbands. Granted for the past few years I've been both mom and dad to our two little one's but that doesn't mean my husbands role isn't needed, or un-appreciated. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbMprJW8bbWE7VKwWsmdfxc3UxU2JEx5ilv-jkEw60pTZsW_Ip07iIRTdjLYrbb62AJUbj1cjzhk0mx-k6jXkj-PiUlUYrcTngkLiLlC7V1erMYENwDkQHgY-QaWlUNwupvHPsyR5fLo/s640/blogger-image--562144361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbMprJW8bbWE7VKwWsmdfxc3UxU2JEx5ilv-jkEw60pTZsW_Ip07iIRTdjLYrbb62AJUbj1cjzhk0mx-k6jXkj-PiUlUYrcTngkLiLlC7V1erMYENwDkQHgY-QaWlUNwupvHPsyR5fLo/s640/blogger-image--562144361.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Today's sermon at church was on this very same topic. The female pastor gave today's message and it was beyond amazing. She too admitted to micro-managing her husband when it came to raising their now adult sons and that she also found her ways superior to her husbands when it came to feeding, dressing and taking care of the kids. But she realized early on that she had to stop doing that. For while her husband did things different than her, her ways weren't always the better of the two.</div><div><br></div><div>And that really made me stop and think. My husband is such an amazing father and I never give him the credit he deserves. It's easy to get caught up in the frustrations and hardships of deployments instead of focusing on why he's away and appreciating all he does for our family </div><div><br></div><div>Same with ways he deals with the kids. Sure we do things differently. I mean when I'm with the kids they are usually fed three well balanced meals, bathed, changed and entertained. My husband spends a few hours with them and I come home to them both wearing the same clothes I left them in and if I'm lucky he has fed them one meal. Usually spaghettio's. However the messy house is a good indication that they had loads and loads of fun. Priceless moments spent together that will never be forgotten. And for that I am grateful </div><div><br></div><div>There are many things I excel at when it comes to parenting. And many ways I'm lacking. Same goes to my husband. But we balance each other out in the best way possible</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNFL1pHyWMuLPmN_ftpdRf2zkNfqdNxdqkZm-njeOZOEU9JFX5PX11_ywh4EvqY9PpBGF83VzKSGHedUiJSiL4Q8w9t8F2iRHBZYKqD1OiJdAepXFPckspMU_fC-DOGA2EAL0Re0L8p0/s640/blogger-image--1702659866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNFL1pHyWMuLPmN_ftpdRf2zkNfqdNxdqkZm-njeOZOEU9JFX5PX11_ywh4EvqY9PpBGF83VzKSGHedUiJSiL4Q8w9t8F2iRHBZYKqD1OiJdAepXFPckspMU_fC-DOGA2EAL0Re0L8p0/s640/blogger-image--1702659866.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>From the moment our kids were born my hisband had silly songs made up for them. A song in Spanish about poop for Gianna which resulted in one of her nicknames and a course a song about Ethan's male parts. Some of my</div><div>Favorite memories of my husband are of him walking up and down the hallway of our house bouncing a little newborn singing away</div><div><br></div><div>And the singing doesn't stop. My husband can make up the best so g and games. He gets our kids laughing hysterically over the goofiest things. He can make anything into a game and he has such fun with the kids. He is clearly the fun parent out of the two of us</div><div><br></div><div>He teaches me to slow down. I like to go go go and plan every moment of every day. He has taught me that while the vacations and activities are fun and much needed, some of the best memories are created playing in the yard or reading a story together</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfVA-r2qZSzVguhrcR6TFSviVKuEpZEeqJsRLcuS76-o3V1n5mgALYNy_vRnAoOx6KqPGNPt624DkwA8D1FKWvn_iDK6lyCuIc86cPoioLtaVNG8ymlPcBhSamnQWiObZpyvyfvhGxaA/s640/blogger-image-1606355110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfVA-r2qZSzVguhrcR6TFSviVKuEpZEeqJsRLcuS76-o3V1n5mgALYNy_vRnAoOx6KqPGNPt624DkwA8D1FKWvn_iDK6lyCuIc86cPoioLtaVNG8ymlPcBhSamnQWiObZpyvyfvhGxaA/s640/blogger-image-1606355110.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Everything he does is for our family and our children. His constant depkpyments and TDY's were all for a promotion and an assurance that we will be taken care off after retirement</div><div><br></div><div>And what I love best about him is that he supports my staying home with the kiddos 100 percent. I couldn't ask for a better husband and a father to our kids. I love the life we lead and having him is what makes our family complete</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d8E1rYCtFS0dM8mvW_roOQVTje0COdt9PuwkmQzKB8-Ol5o1VQL-vgl_D3IM1d-L4m46ys_1cmwIL_ETI_CaIGcOPISTJ4h6WSv6JJ9F6l-f3VLvA0hCTRQ5eSPhoOTplwxIWhTpJAM/s640/blogger-image--1815495894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d8E1rYCtFS0dM8mvW_roOQVTje0COdt9PuwkmQzKB8-Ol5o1VQL-vgl_D3IM1d-L4m46ys_1cmwIL_ETI_CaIGcOPISTJ4h6WSv6JJ9F6l-f3VLvA0hCTRQ5eSPhoOTplwxIWhTpJAM/s640/blogger-image--1815495894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2he1e6fhksMX7NeMWeh2z9eTcbxPUSHpSMhOzFXXWsXxdskcSqG1pHHP1tugVyH33JhnAeZ2EF70wWEPjRAR2GNiGJn0KEJ_dWIGYfrN_eZPWUicuzsNZrUvwd9xL64ovyDMVOYzOsIg/s640/blogger-image-1525678535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2he1e6fhksMX7NeMWeh2z9eTcbxPUSHpSMhOzFXXWsXxdskcSqG1pHHP1tugVyH33JhnAeZ2EF70wWEPjRAR2GNiGJn0KEJ_dWIGYfrN_eZPWUicuzsNZrUvwd9xL64ovyDMVOYzOsIg/s640/blogger-image-1525678535.jpg"></a></div>When I first saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-68511419131615071592014-06-12T04:41:00.001-07:002014-06-12T04:41:14.918-07:00Deployments and Murphy's LawPOh the Murphy's law of deployments. he's had quite a few laughs during this one leaving more and more things broken all the while draining my back account<div><br></div><div>The Murphy's law of deployments basically means that the minute your husband leaves everything that can go wrong will go wrong. And then some. It's summed up quite nicely by this picture </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ7lXlzTMFDFhWmY24MFkI82TrDavL7wrWYjBvsSW8pAi38ABcKiPY88_SFlM98sKxWsITgam2naDPUN5wwAru0jKA_W0PXkzHY6D6MGeETOIp7PpvJ-3L5prlF3FH5Pnc8Fs-CSyOCk/s640/blogger-image--1368853585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ7lXlzTMFDFhWmY24MFkI82TrDavL7wrWYjBvsSW8pAi38ABcKiPY88_SFlM98sKxWsITgam2naDPUN5wwAru0jKA_W0PXkzHY6D6MGeETOIp7PpvJ-3L5prlF3FH5Pnc8Fs-CSyOCk/s640/blogger-image--1368853585.jpg"></a></div>This deployment has honestly been one of the worst. Not because of how much I missed my husband, or how hard it is to hear the kids crying for their dad, or because I'm lonely, or because the husband and I aren't communicating properly. But because it has been just one thing after the other. As I called my dad the other day and had a emotional break down I jokingly said I was one mental breakdown away from a mental breakdown. </div><div><br></div><div>Being an army wife is hard. Raising kids alone is exhausting and frustrating. Doing it all alone with no family nearby on top of dealing with the house and all the other stuff that us wives do is beyond hard sometimes. And Murphy doesn't make it any better</div><div><br></div><div>Just when I thought things were picking up something else would happen. Last week I literally woke up to a new issue every day. And because I love to document so I can look back and read about how hard I thought deployments were I thought I'd write a little list</div><div><br></div><div>- We made it through a tornado. On our own and luckily only suffered minor damage to our fence, grill, playhouse and yard</div><div><br></div><div>- I bought Gianna a little purse from the dollar section of the store as a reward for good behavior. On our return home she went in her room to play with it. When I entered her room I saw she had colored all her walls with the markers I didn't know came inside the purse</div><div><br></div><div>- Ethan grabbed one of the above markers and decorated his room and the hallways</div><div><br></div><div>- we all caught a massive stomach bug and let's just say I went through a large thing of tide, and a jumbo box of diapers and wipes in two days</div><div><br></div><div>- the smoke alarms in the house all started beeping randomly. Even after the batteries were changed and they were unplugged with the wall. Leaving my dogs terrified of being in the house alone</div><div><br></div><div>- The router died so we no longer have internet. Or Netflix or anything like that</div><div><br></div><div>- the dogs dug massive holes around our freshly sodded backyard. It's so bad but our air conditioner that you can see the underground poles and wires. I've had to rig up a fence outta the kids toys</div><div><br></div><div>- storm number 2 made us lose our second pool of the summer and broke our patio table</div><div><br></div><div>- upon returning home from the store the other night with dinner I placed said dinner on the counter only to come inside after getting the kids out of the car to find the dinner eaten by the dogs</div><div><br></div><div>- the kids fighting and crying has gone from cute to kind of funny to some what annoying to down right irritating </div><div><br></div><div>- Yestersay I thought we made it through the day unscathed. I had to volunteer at church and afterwards some friends and I took the kids to the park. I treated them to McDonald's after that and we finally headed home at 9. Way after bedtime but I had two exhausted kids that I couldn't wait to put to sleep. I was thinking that it was a really good day until my phone beeped. My friends daughter has lice. And they were just over at our house. </div><div><br></div><div>It was in that moment that I felt utterly defeated. I don't think I can handle anything more on my plate. I should have a husband home here to help me with all this. Luckily a good friend lives across the street from me. She isn't married and has no kids. Plus she works at a school so I know she'd know what to do. I intended for her to come and stay at my House to watch my sleeping kids while I ran to Walgreens. She ended up going to walgreens for me. And gave us all lice checks since I had no idea what to look for. Luckily we were given the all clear although I'm still washing all the bedding, blankets, washable toys and treating the kid hair just in case.</div><div><br></div><div>But as far as this deployment goes I wave the white flag. I'm tired, exhausted, stressed and overwhelmed</div><div><br></div><div>The most frustrating part of it is the fact that my husband doesn't understand. Take this pix</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLgBLTDYT-uc3IO_nt6Q40ro_eMMFe8TPUDbzRk8jiw8XE2jC8VqnqBTPAQ49-YxoKhR9R1CSFQVsZu6RaMWPOuALTZG1qblRxHr50Uz4d0PgivIGSoB2Z4uOg6qW3pyy_jezs0ligw8/s640/blogger-image--1067855789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLgBLTDYT-uc3IO_nt6Q40ro_eMMFe8TPUDbzRk8jiw8XE2jC8VqnqBTPAQ49-YxoKhR9R1CSFQVsZu6RaMWPOuALTZG1qblRxHr50Uz4d0PgivIGSoB2Z4uOg6qW3pyy_jezs0ligw8/s640/blogger-image--1067855789.jpg"></a></div></div><div>So true. I thjnk my husband thinks I'm exaggerating when I tell him about what's been going on at home. During the tornado he called to check on his car. His car. Not his wife and kids crammed in the laundry room but his car. And since he's never spent more than a few hours alone with the kids by himself he has no clue what it's like to be with them all day everyday. To him I spend my day going to the park or hanging out with friends on play dates and then finish out the day watching disney movies. What's so hard about that? So clueless</div><div><br></div><div>But while this post may sound like constant complaint after complaint it's really not meant to be. I know things could be so much worse. Despite all the things that have broken or gone wrong we are all healthy and happy and that's what really matters. Compared to a friend whose two year old just had major heart surgery or the little girl in my Sunday school class that has cancer I am grateful that although Murphy has struck, it has been minor little things. And I thank god every day for that. Because despite it all I am beyond blessed </div><div><br></div><div>Although the day after the husband gets home I am heading for the beach. Alone. And staying until after the kids go to her. Army life is so romantic isn't it!</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-4781874097153186732014-06-11T14:25:00.001-07:002014-06-11T14:25:49.520-07:00Our Summer So FarI can't believe it's almost the middle of June. We are busy counting down th days till the hubby comes home and we leave for our family vacation. I don't want to wish the days away too fast though since I'll be returning to work in 3 months! How crazy is that<div><br></div><div>Now that the kids are older it's easier to plan and do things with them. However I have two totally different children. Ethan is content to entertain himself and is perfectly fine staying at home. Gianna is high energy and needs constant stimulation. It's exhausting some days to constantly have to entertain her</div><div><br></div><div>I try to do one outing a day and on days we have nothing planned we spend a lot of time outdoors. However since another storm hit us this weekend we no longer have a pool or a patio table. And the backyard is now full of glass pieces so our time in the yard has to be on the driveway or on the front. And since we were on pool number 2 this summer I probably won't be buying another. I will be calling a pool company about getting an estimate for an actual above ground pool. (The hubby doesn't know this yet) which hopefully I can scrimp and save for to have done sometime next summer. But that's probably wishful thinking. Any who I thought Id write about our daily schedule and get some ideas and tips from all of you out there. Here is what our week looks like</div><div><br></div><div>Monday- Gianna has ballet class at 10. Since it's right by the beach we usually go there or to the playground. This Monday we skipped ballet due to all of us being overtired. Big mistake. By noon we were all going crazy at home</div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday- nothing major planned. The movie theater in town has free movies on Tuesdays so we tried it out yesterday. Ethan was a nightmare. So I think Tuesday will be spent having people over for play dates or hiting up my friends neighborhood pool which she so graciously gave me the code to!</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday- Story time/library days.</div><div>Both kids are really starting to love books and they love going to the library. Afterward I'll got up the park to let them burn off energy before heading home for a nap. </div><div><br></div><div>Thursday- Snall group. All of my fellow co-workers and I decided to start our own small group. Since we all have kids we figured we could meet during the day and let the kids play while we do our study. We are starting Captivating. Has anyoe done that? I've heard such good things</div><div><br></div><div>Friday- Another free day. I want to designate this as our craft day but I'm not sure Ethan is ready for crafts yet</div><div><br></div><div>Our weekends are usually full of trips to the beach or birthday parties. Only a few more weekends till the hubby is home! So ready for our family to be complete again </div><div><br></div><div>What do you do to occupy your time? I've found the day goes by so smoothly if the kids are out of the house till naptime. Then we come home for nap and everyone wakes up refreshed. I usually let the kids watch a movie or free play when I make dinner and after dinner they go for a run with me and then it's bath and bed time. I tried letting the kids stay up later than normal and they each got up a hour earlier than usual. My sleeping in plan backfired. Back to regular bedtimes it is!!</div><div><br></div><div>And of course Gianna has swimming lessons these next few weeks and come July she has a week of Fairy princess dance camp. After that we leave for Sanibel. I am so ready for a relaxing vacation.</div><div><br></div><div>Bring on Summer</div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-56199042303202405642014-06-05T07:13:00.001-07:002014-06-05T07:13:13.340-07:00Mom, your doing okThese past few weeks have been rough around here. I've found myself yelling more than I'd like and begging the kids for five seconds of quiet. I am more irritable than usual and just over being a single parent! And the kids know it. They are pushing my limits every chance they get and are eagerly awaiting their dad to come home so they can get away from me<div><br></div><div>After a rough day of typical toddler behavior from the two of them I was trying my best not to explode. Every second one of the kids would start screaming for me or crying because the other had hit or took their toy away. I finally turned on the magical thing called a tv and walked into the kitchen for a snack.</div><div><br></div><div>I heard Ethan start to cry and sighed before walking back into the living room to get him. Once there though I stopped. Gianna was rubbing Ethan's head and singing you are my sunshine. Something I do often. After she was done she turned to me and said Ethan was sad so I sung sunshine like you Mom.</div><div><br></div><div>As hard as some days are and as often as I feel like I'm doing it all wrong, moments like these occur and I know I'm doing something right <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoHFj9DdcADykY5FSZjNyxRSii3G_72GkhfB7tBxg3_yZZ4LCxT6NUlCsTidW3Uo62_cexcAxmMskHYRdwLQPg8LHG9SgCLzgrtMccrg5APOYul5_wFH0kc6SvrBapdr2WfMHgHVMbEE/s640/blogger-image--1419048706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoHFj9DdcADykY5FSZjNyxRSii3G_72GkhfB7tBxg3_yZZ4LCxT6NUlCsTidW3Uo62_cexcAxmMskHYRdwLQPg8LHG9SgCLzgrtMccrg5APOYul5_wFH0kc6SvrBapdr2WfMHgHVMbEE/s640/blogger-image--1419048706.jpg"></a></div></div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584228167731927982.post-21842327872349624252014-06-03T20:25:00.001-07:002014-06-03T20:25:58.033-07:00Pillow Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Shortly before Gianna turned 1 the hubby went TDY. I was 24 weeks pregnant with Ethan and the fact that Gianna wouldn't be an only child in a few short months was starting to sink in<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DPzZZ95YBc_LixgmwQAYarTzLOKjok_GPOsR1U2nucA79VhJg-m8QbT2MDU6esOJmanyQdwwRg9mDJ-D7boDWI1tRNmGhXLMQCAiz0fPSivpffcpapG7FLdPMDmwNmlem66zsWd6_-g/s640/blogger-image--2041296297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DPzZZ95YBc_LixgmwQAYarTzLOKjok_GPOsR1U2nucA79VhJg-m8QbT2MDU6esOJmanyQdwwRg9mDJ-D7boDWI1tRNmGhXLMQCAiz0fPSivpffcpapG7FLdPMDmwNmlem66zsWd6_-g/s640/blogger-image--2041296297.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>So when it came to bedtime with her I kind of slacked on our routine. Instead of bath, book and bed, we would do bath, book and then snuggles on the couch. Up until Ethan was born Gianna fell asleep curled around my belly as I lay on the living room couch</div><div><br></div><div>After he was born obviously things changed and we are back to our bedtime routine. However there are days I let it slack when it comes to Gianna's bedtime</div><div><br></div><div>As a mom of two with kids so close together in age I've found it impossible to give both kids the one on one attention they crave and deserve. Especially when the hubby is gone. So I have to be creative and make things count when I do have one on one time with either of them. And with Gianna it starts after Ethan goes to bed</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu03bhoAUoNeJbkdzk1iTbpk0q5kcFDZb8YwOGpELzFcIO8z05pgppD3BM6dopNhuKa8HNeVZQn3GM0yp7k0OsyA3kXhnRedqJgFRqVdCPZLNaAX4NwGtIgUywFjrxRTLQ16kH2qNFybc/s640/blogger-image-2138060499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu03bhoAUoNeJbkdzk1iTbpk0q5kcFDZb8YwOGpELzFcIO8z05pgppD3BM6dopNhuKa8HNeVZQn3GM0yp7k0OsyA3kXhnRedqJgFRqVdCPZLNaAX4NwGtIgUywFjrxRTLQ16kH2qNFybc/s640/blogger-image-2138060499.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>She knows this as well. As soon as Ethan gets put down her whole demeanor changes. There are days when she is beyond terrible in regards to listening, sharing with Ethan and your usual typical toddler stuff. But when he goes to bed it's as if she knows she no longer has to fight him for my attention and she breathes a sigh of relief knowing she has me all to herself</div><div><br></div><div>I must say I love our nights together. Some nights we pop popcorn and watch movies. Some night we camp out on the living room floor. Some nights we lay in my bed having conversations and reading books. Her newest interests are Jesus stories and reading her toddler bible. My mommy heart swells every time she asks for a "Jesus story"</div><div><br></div><div>Some night we have silly conversations about scary darth Vadar, or our fairy garden or about how much she misses daddy and how she just wants him to sleep with her. We sing songs and make faces and just enjoy spending time together</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO84kY44w8td7m02Uv60wRwd7N970InE6QY1AM0Q3RYXodxOk5rCyKH1a6_u0DgwK_YWxbJapw9paEGQcIr4H9xocWnm3LC-fRNiScAbVvQW2BPueOpPIUwBqhbIUqdz76v0ym7x_C94/s640/blogger-image--1335338189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO84kY44w8td7m02Uv60wRwd7N970InE6QY1AM0Q3RYXodxOk5rCyKH1a6_u0DgwK_YWxbJapw9paEGQcIr4H9xocWnm3LC-fRNiScAbVvQW2BPueOpPIUwBqhbIUqdz76v0ym7x_C94/s640/blogger-image--1335338189.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And my favorite part of our nights is this. For as long as I can remember I've sung You are my sunshine to my kids. I've spent hours rocking each one of them from newborn on singing that song over and over. Usually I tuck them in, sing a few verses while rubbing their backs, say I love you and walk out the door.</div><div><br></div><div>Now Gianna will initiate me singing on her own. She will snuggle up to me, squeeze me as hard as she can, tell me she loved me and then ask for "sunshine" and so I sing and rub her head. And you better believe I can't stop until she's asleep. But listening to her ask for it and having her hug me and tell me she loves me on her own is the best way to end my night </div>Katie Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02624218149461236252noreply@blogger.com1