tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70543552170095197462024-03-05T04:09:15.698-05:00a cup of Hopehope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-44310676224609435652015-07-08T15:49:00.001-04:002015-07-08T15:54:21.011-04:00What my faith has taught me about being a Mother...Well hello there, it has been how many months since my last blog post? I will not try to catch my readers up with photos because we all know I take a million and most of you can see those on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hope.hicks.1029">Facebook</a> Page! SO much has happened in the past 9-10 months!<br />
<br />
My life as a mama to two children under the age of 3.5 has been a ball of every emotion you can think of. Most days I feel completely and utterly blessed and thankful, but only when I stop myself in the midst of the chaos to breathe. Although, the moments in between where I'm stepping on bunny crackers and trying to keep Levi from beating up Lily, I am asking God, "Are you sure I can do this!?"<br />
<br />
The truth is, I don't have myself together. Most days I look like a homeless person. I lose my patience with my kiddos. I think about the days where they won't fight going to bed, can put on their own clothes, can entertain themselves, can feed themselves, and you know- stop touching me for 5 minutes. Those thoughts cross my mind almost every day. The worst is when people tell you to enjoy this time because it will fly by in an instant. That is a given. The exhaustion that comes with being a mama is just that. Exhaustion. That does not mean I am not enjoying this season of my kiddos' life. Having two little ones is HARD work. Yes, its work. It is hard on my body, my mind, my soul. Sometimes I have no clue what I'm doing. Every. Single. Day I am faced with a new phase, challenge, situation that I have not dealt with before. I am learning every day. I ask myself that brutal question- am I a bad mom? at least a few times a day.<br />
<br />
But what can I say for certain? God really chose these kiddos for me. I believe that with every ounce of my soul. They were mine before I ever dreamt they were mine. God hand picked Levi and Lily for me. He knows my heart, my soul, my strengths and weaknesses, and still made me a mother. He knew I'd have bad days and still gave those babies to me. If God knows I'm worthy enough to be a mother to L and L then why is it so hard for me to embrace that? I question myself every single day. Satan floods my reactions the minute my blood pressure starts rising or my patience is being tested. My kids have seen mean mommy more times than my heart can stand. I can't say how many times I've lost my cool then just balled my eyes out in the bathroom because I feel like I failed and took a piece of innocence from my children they can't get back.<br />
<br />
But what is really going on here?<br />
<br />
I'm responsible for the swirling doubt, fear and second guessing that goes on in my mind. Me and Satan. I need to lock arms with God and say "I will take deep breaths today before acting or speaking to my children, I will show love, I will model strength, patience and love to my children, because that's what You give me." The only way I can do that is by closing the door on Satan and opening the door to Jesus. When I am intentional about my feelings and the pull Satan has on my reactions to my kids, I feel like a rockstar. I am able to breathe, get on my children's level, and teach them in a Godly way. No crying, screaming, tantrums, fighting and chaos is to be the product of teaming up with Jesus. I have confidence, patience and purity when I am intentional and that is the only role model I want to be for my kids.<br />
<br />
This year has been a roller coaster. Very few people know the steeps and valleys of this past year, but through it my faith has taught me so much. This is one of the areas I have been strengthened in. Having two kids is a lot of work. Balancing the needs, phases, expectations and personalities of two children is a project in itself. But God wants me to be an amazing mother. That doesn't mean every day will be rainbows if I embrace Jesus before a tantrum.<br />
<br />
What it means is God knows I'm worthy. And He knows I'm meant to be a mother, and he reassures me every single day and night when Levi tells me out of the blue, "I love you so much mommy" and kisses me. Or when Lily just plops her head onto my shoulder throughout the day, holding on tight, or the way her face lights up when I walk in a room and say, "Hi pretty girl!" Those are the ways I know my kids love me. God gives me those reminders daily.<br />
<br />
Its freaking hard most days juggling two little ones, as I just said ten times above. But- keep the faith that God will guide you if you let him! God gives us grace for the times we fall and mess up. He softens us and teaches us through those falls how to get back up again, chase your child around the house as a tickle monster, and have some fun being a mom! It doesn't have to be as stressful as we let it be.<br />
<br />
My goal this week is to practice being more intentional with my kids. I want to be in tune with them by being in tune with Jesus. I want to ask God for what I need to embrace this season of my life. I want to shut Satan out and not let him have control over my emotions, reactions and words to my children. I want to give that control to God and let him guide me. I also want to pray for my children and my home as well.<br />
<br />
I challenge my mamas to do the same in a way that works for you. Be intentional. Yes- we all know they grow so fast, but that doesn't mean you can't be exhausted, scared, frustrated or stressed out. Give that to God, and ask for what you need to be the Mother you are meant to be. Be present and aware of the words, body language and experiences you give your children throughout the day. Will your arms be locked with Jesus?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0Mwt6uqo2ZOlqYBV1_Os10OrVp8Ol3P35kJzoxpK5M6eVJBTPXgJIzIgatxtDkF7pXjBpDfBRUYiCmAmSq5oJiUCIKzc6pp28ky6S20BYAkAgwmStseH6lmYiBIee0SeKvkOwmBQIEQ/s1600/IMG_4660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0Mwt6uqo2ZOlqYBV1_Os10OrVp8Ol3P35kJzoxpK5M6eVJBTPXgJIzIgatxtDkF7pXjBpDfBRUYiCmAmSq5oJiUCIKzc6pp28ky6S20BYAkAgwmStseH6lmYiBIee0SeKvkOwmBQIEQ/s640/IMG_4660.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
- Hopehope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-17189532726262372442014-10-14T13:26:00.004-04:002014-10-14T15:43:15.995-04:00They grow up...Life, slow down. My boy is three and my girl is 3 months. Sometimes I just want to lay under the covers, make a little fort and eat breakfast in bed with these two. Maybe I just will. After I complete my Midterms. Its inevitable. They grow up. And us Mamas can't do anything about it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxy2Qi1fjY2Cu0SOGjjNu_tElnHZ4w3MrLzuDMMCdBnObmbaUVDnqHoqRVeFZL5YxenpXVfnmHoBoDGpGDKnq_-xO4_SvsTjVBWZE9EVwdqJUC0pOXnDIQk1OnnplecJw4-Jz9vuM68E/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxy2Qi1fjY2Cu0SOGjjNu_tElnHZ4w3MrLzuDMMCdBnObmbaUVDnqHoqRVeFZL5YxenpXVfnmHoBoDGpGDKnq_-xO4_SvsTjVBWZE9EVwdqJUC0pOXnDIQk1OnnplecJw4-Jz9vuM68E/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq7xqUKAe38Zb3T20Amjcub4P-p74ELsw3o6IktVF1NSncCgYIbct1VuDTNcqJLGIn0nmj5PMSyTxe8bg4v7yml896Y5Qeq3O8OlgJiSRa0jXcDFiX9X1Z-RIhGBqUVrjlQ747Ql8tss/s1600/IMG_2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq7xqUKAe38Zb3T20Amjcub4P-p74ELsw3o6IktVF1NSncCgYIbct1VuDTNcqJLGIn0nmj5PMSyTxe8bg4v7yml896Y5Qeq3O8OlgJiSRa0jXcDFiX9X1Z-RIhGBqUVrjlQ747Ql8tss/s1600/IMG_2600.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjftXQqRivYWzZ_7FIgA2muS-MscNgBudO34jpRmcQgecWbG0Y0QjE35Pr21Q_wCSSNDQm9q7qSqp4GVU0Sb6WswE5rrdVTxXGk4J1omIqIqDYmIEMsVV6LnsfpjxWcps3wzs8WIAAzrM/s1600/IMG_2487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjftXQqRivYWzZ_7FIgA2muS-MscNgBudO34jpRmcQgecWbG0Y0QjE35Pr21Q_wCSSNDQm9q7qSqp4GVU0Sb6WswE5rrdVTxXGk4J1omIqIqDYmIEMsVV6LnsfpjxWcps3wzs8WIAAzrM/s1600/IMG_2487.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4qaZN8BsAPhJuoXmSz5NuTMpHpPIz-tE9bORhbs1-jgHNXYa-qPdc27IidRQtqyQ8qy7FlOymIiway9fpHBkp4VxxEz3Zd6X918zHtHyuikE1rik4v-KZ4L5BuLqN_uSBu5zkIBwPiA/s1600/IMG_2552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4qaZN8BsAPhJuoXmSz5NuTMpHpPIz-tE9bORhbs1-jgHNXYa-qPdc27IidRQtqyQ8qy7FlOymIiway9fpHBkp4VxxEz3Zd6X918zHtHyuikE1rik4v-KZ4L5BuLqN_uSBu5zkIBwPiA/s1600/IMG_2552.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39mjA-q5Q2CyyqSZRqsWR9GxTpQUMivZ1DGwdhsHVl5gUgVMlocejfzh4n15bV99zpeLsWXaQqzV2CJh21NPqw7WX6jL0qYf3EJsq1qbNkyIzFABy-FmBCDCK9tSzU6cyJ_uHGsDbYrM/s1600/IMG_2638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39mjA-q5Q2CyyqSZRqsWR9GxTpQUMivZ1DGwdhsHVl5gUgVMlocejfzh4n15bV99zpeLsWXaQqzV2CJh21NPqw7WX6jL0qYf3EJsq1qbNkyIzFABy-FmBCDCK9tSzU6cyJ_uHGsDbYrM/s1600/IMG_2638.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fA6-TlcIgYrkTBmBJxCDmAF4fZV2Ia4_TSKWT0j6Umr5bu_Cnp08TT5hXoSMjXrzQevj5l-b6tiy3KjnE9HQEnsFs4J3wyzxlBj5aZDYLFf_-g_1o0JH0JJ1BDu6tuNSd3Ql1B6JJBM/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fA6-TlcIgYrkTBmBJxCDmAF4fZV2Ia4_TSKWT0j6Umr5bu_Cnp08TT5hXoSMjXrzQevj5l-b6tiy3KjnE9HQEnsFs4J3wyzxlBj5aZDYLFf_-g_1o0JH0JJ1BDu6tuNSd3Ql1B6JJBM/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_zuw6EN8cE62mXngFznDG98TTcqapA-jC4gTFY8Je1n5-qk56jwLo1-5kLPw_xW8J4CYqPicQDH-8RwhbouPJAZ8NWlzXBYXJB8StOo0DMQTvOHmUFDw0DivDUZNO9m61_y2q6YZeT8/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_zuw6EN8cE62mXngFznDG98TTcqapA-jC4gTFY8Je1n5-qk56jwLo1-5kLPw_xW8J4CYqPicQDH-8RwhbouPJAZ8NWlzXBYXJB8StOo0DMQTvOHmUFDw0DivDUZNO9m61_y2q6YZeT8/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DE1e56RVD72YpxvaPs84gMmEjxiC0yy2MMBIiKKtBm9Y8-dT0MB2U44Z1dpeP4X0g7cB_b7Id0HpOVlsnXnnp9ZWtRKVecCfRZoLa7f3w47vKo-Ol84ntpjrrcJT53ia8JOasTHDi_w/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DE1e56RVD72YpxvaPs84gMmEjxiC0yy2MMBIiKKtBm9Y8-dT0MB2U44Z1dpeP4X0g7cB_b7Id0HpOVlsnXnnp9ZWtRKVecCfRZoLa7f3w47vKo-Ol84ntpjrrcJT53ia8JOasTHDi_w/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS-KjsfNmwsrQ_CctT9Mn6pPRERUKmDw8uU1fkY44eiJnIB3_VbbtqgEzmDh1DXIIwbJWss2xNCcqIO7fA2lQxTPdE2cDdgj8BdQ_CSvZetOc4-92sXDkqoDyy9GKnHRdiW4eOPkWv4o/s1600/IMG_2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS-KjsfNmwsrQ_CctT9Mn6pPRERUKmDw8uU1fkY44eiJnIB3_VbbtqgEzmDh1DXIIwbJWss2xNCcqIO7fA2lQxTPdE2cDdgj8BdQ_CSvZetOc4-92sXDkqoDyy9GKnHRdiW4eOPkWv4o/s1600/IMG_2690.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU3eUNvYC0zrzIxBb7Anc_96T5WlOcjU7KS2ZyASEAAozv1KNpVY7sSymmXGG4LuS42-OEjcHZhyphenhyphen085-Tig7lQ4E5xxArQSo70cDmOVNCxwpTo0-2-7ScDEC55gbCowyFnwnQyfhn6KA/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU3eUNvYC0zrzIxBb7Anc_96T5WlOcjU7KS2ZyASEAAozv1KNpVY7sSymmXGG4LuS42-OEjcHZhyphenhyphen085-Tig7lQ4E5xxArQSo70cDmOVNCxwpTo0-2-7ScDEC55gbCowyFnwnQyfhn6KA/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-8896102517552062972014-10-02T15:11:00.001-04:002014-10-02T15:11:33.693-04:00Our life as 4I can't believe Lily is 9 weeks old, and Levi turns three next week. It blows my mind.<br />
As of late, we have adjusted very nicely into our lives as four.<br />
<br />
Levi is in the whirlwind of the terrible twos/almost threes. Sometimes it is so defeating. I take a gentle approach to parenting. I do not believe in spanking/fearing your child to get them to listen. Because of that I do a lot of talking, calm time, and deep breaths with Levi. Some days it works like a charm, other days he gives me an evil eye and throws his food on the floor for the fifth time without taking his eye off me. After all my schooling in the area of development for kids infancy-middle school, I know this is normal. I know its how toddlers develop and autonomy is a big thing right now. Some days I just question myself and wonder if I'm doing the best that I can as far as teaching/disciplining him. Its worse feeling judged by others when I am doing everything I can to be patient and calm with him. Some people think I should just spank him. Others think I do it all wrong. Some agree with me. Either way its easy to feel alone in this whole process, this whole portion of parenting. I see a lot of strides regarding Levi's behavior. The thing we deal with most is lack of impulse control. He'll just get frustrated and throw things. He is having trouble sleeping lately. He will just get up in the middle of the night for no reason at all. He cries when its nap time. Some days are bliss and things are great. Other days, I want to cry and pull my hair out. But he is still such a sweetie pie. He is still a mama's boy. He still looks for the moon every night. He lays in the grass and counts the airplanes in the sky. He is my little nature boy. His vocabulary has grown SO MUCH in the past 5 months or so. Watching him grow is so rewarding. I love that boy.<br />
<br />
Lily is a gem. I'm not big on making babies stick to a schedule, but if it works for them then follow their lead. Ever since Lily was about 3-4 weeks, her schedule started adapting to Levi's and we just went with it. Now she bathes, eats and is in bed by 8:30 just like Levi. She sleeps until about 5 am and is up to eat. Then falls right back to sleep until about 8-9 am. Just like Levi did when he was a baby. As far as breastfeeding, I don't want to talk too much about it-as I am still a little disappointed in myself a little. Its a hard thing to swallow that it didn't work for us/for me-for the second time. The pain was excruciating and unfortunately with only two weeks until school started up for me I didn't have the time to be extremely patient. I would pump for an hour and still be extremely engorged. Levi and Lily would be crying this whole hour. Then I would be crying. It was just too much. We were all happier with the switch to bottle feeding. Now do I get a little sad when I see Mama's breastfeeding? Yes. I wish I was able to have more time home with her to get it down. I loved the idea of having that bond with Lily during my whole pregnancy. The first day was bliss. She was a champ. I will forever cherish those memories and the bonding her and I shared, just us two, from the minute she was born until the minute we switched to a bottle. She is doing great on the Earth's Best Organic formula and I couldn't be happier with how well she does it. She is so smiley and "talkative". She is such a cuddle bug, and is doing so much better during the day. She used to be so restless during the day. Now she naps 2-3 really long naps-about 2-3 hours, and cat naps throughout. She even likes her swing now-thank god. I baby wear a lot. It gives me the bonding I don't get through breastfeeding and we even do skin to skin with the wrap sometimes. I love that little girl to pieces. She is amazing.<br />
<br />
I think having a new baby takes a toll on your marriage. It ain't been easy adjusting-especially living at Josh's moms-that's a whole box of stress that is just piled on. But we are finally at ease, and things are in a sweet spot. We are enjoying our life as four. And things are just <i>easier </i>these days. God has truly put a light in our lives, and we are blessed. Through the good and the bad, I am so happy to have Josh by my side through it all.<br />
<br />
Josh and I both celebrated birthdays too!<br />
<br />
Enjoy some pictures of the past-uh, 9 weeks? :)<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10424335_10152605940557489_6602313643662253048_n.jpg?oh=498e43d3f88ac0595600b4fff7fe1123&oe=54CDA52B&__gda__=1421455165_2fa86a5e5671d68534710fafea71d49d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10424335_10152605940557489_6602313643662253048_n.jpg?oh=498e43d3f88ac0595600b4fff7fe1123&oe=54CDA52B&__gda__=1421455165_2fa86a5e5671d68534710fafea71d49d" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10628081_10152607243387489_8934930506390595453_n.jpg?oh=7180a6c7f473aa06ea17de5018fa889a&oe=54C8664B&__gda__=1422700574_8c68b4addc6f70053c464dc2f7a8eb0e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10628081_10152607243387489_8934930506390595453_n.jpg?oh=7180a6c7f473aa06ea17de5018fa889a&oe=54C8664B&__gda__=1422700574_8c68b4addc6f70053c464dc2f7a8eb0e" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10584041_10152609349307489_7036203636291070477_n.jpg?oh=ec394e3bd287ca065c44ce71beb4e2d8&oe=54B91F4C&__gda__=1422598425_8cf1f2c44f279caa31d1804419c7cb6c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10584041_10152609349307489_7036203636291070477_n.jpg?oh=ec394e3bd287ca065c44ce71beb4e2d8&oe=54B91F4C&__gda__=1422598425_8cf1f2c44f279caa31d1804419c7cb6c" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1958257_10152616859072489_340277533046470201_n.jpg?oh=e3e317136d38530d853bb7a98a65c339&oe=54CB3436" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1958257_10152616859072489_340277533046470201_n.jpg?oh=e3e317136d38530d853bb7a98a65c339&oe=54CB3436" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10644829_10152624125677489_8266073139674321820_n.jpg?oh=0c25377b0803590dceab4da1572afdff&oe=54838A58&__gda__=1422466365_0286c5d9b18d7d86082e6eb3a92a0c04" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10644829_10152624125677489_8266073139674321820_n.jpg?oh=0c25377b0803590dceab4da1572afdff&oe=54838A58&__gda__=1422466365_0286c5d9b18d7d86082e6eb3a92a0c04" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10577198_10152651422567489_8165408381936902990_n.jpg?oh=e898e6bab329d597dcc22af2baafb102&oe=54B47DF7&__gda__=1422201234_74a81966aacc766b71a8c28864b94def" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10577198_10152651422567489_8165408381936902990_n.jpg?oh=e898e6bab329d597dcc22af2baafb102&oe=54B47DF7&__gda__=1422201234_74a81966aacc766b71a8c28864b94def" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10626487_10152655414932489_1906174895568000475_n.jpg?oh=f1f9c586bb60807b0f5e6d2c8f454e4e&oe=54BCA432&__gda__=1422212183_1c040294441f732e501954369fd7c9d6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10626487_10152655414932489_1906174895568000475_n.jpg?oh=f1f9c586bb60807b0f5e6d2c8f454e4e&oe=54BCA432&__gda__=1422212183_1c040294441f732e501954369fd7c9d6" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10606484_10152658834362489_2911543283775705200_n.jpg?oh=36ed9efc5e2b924c94e9b782090ad88d&oe=54BFC040&__gda__=1422645933_8d3e1559bd732edabdc1c0f49a88e333" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10606484_10152658834362489_2911543283775705200_n.jpg?oh=36ed9efc5e2b924c94e9b782090ad88d&oe=54BFC040&__gda__=1422645933_8d3e1559bd732edabdc1c0f49a88e333" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10689727_10152666365682489_1811992826872118408_n.jpg?oh=24a46f85426d6ddbaab2507316043942&oe=54BA7684&__gda__=1422821522_18f3864b408f5a4654619279ff2bf96a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10689727_10152666365682489_1811992826872118408_n.jpg?oh=24a46f85426d6ddbaab2507316043942&oe=54BA7684&__gda__=1422821522_18f3864b408f5a4654619279ff2bf96a" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10400031_10152685024252489_2304704682181879873_n.jpg?oh=fdc57a4e6bd2f6a95a3e3e49bef110de&oe=54B0405F&__gda__=1422133050_5b4b83a32681396b2d07d6eb4eed7d9b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10400031_10152685024252489_2304704682181879873_n.jpg?oh=fdc57a4e6bd2f6a95a3e3e49bef110de&oe=54B0405F&__gda__=1422133050_5b4b83a32681396b2d07d6eb4eed7d9b" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10710862_10152687361497489_8765262867119575568_n.jpg?oh=69d4dfe23ef2b7909f236d08725c6fe4&oe=54B89E6A&__gda__=1422149086_4844b89e7622cf62be0bc4b04a61ac09" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10710862_10152687361497489_8765262867119575568_n.jpg?oh=69d4dfe23ef2b7909f236d08725c6fe4&oe=54B89E6A&__gda__=1422149086_4844b89e7622cf62be0bc4b04a61ac09" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10653419_10152690790082489_3654752680188565626_n.jpg?oh=1beccc0c56f83fea49a56c5219dd52f0&oe=548446DE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10653419_10152690790082489_3654752680188565626_n.jpg?oh=1beccc0c56f83fea49a56c5219dd52f0&oe=548446DE" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10647145_10152692588417489_8229926800273798984_n.jpg?oh=0c043ded5e3e1a9ea67f19ad3d667761&oe=54B8703F&__gda__=1422772842_30bf550ea074001bd6c230e3a5402b9a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10647145_10152692588417489_8229926800273798984_n.jpg?oh=0c043ded5e3e1a9ea67f19ad3d667761&oe=54B8703F&__gda__=1422772842_30bf550ea074001bd6c230e3a5402b9a" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1972286_10152694858872489_6252085307938367513_n.jpg?oh=1758f9a3106dd280a2293ac8c0b23114&oe=54C73EBB&__gda__=1421490700_ea677bcc412a17d0ec9cdc1114fddf9c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1972286_10152694858872489_6252085307938367513_n.jpg?oh=1758f9a3106dd280a2293ac8c0b23114&oe=54C73EBB&__gda__=1421490700_ea677bcc412a17d0ec9cdc1114fddf9c" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10378267_10152702845062489_3361060502103575948_n.jpg?oh=766f9e75b3af00c066bcb4b336be2010&oe=54D04E9F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10378267_10152702845062489_3361060502103575948_n.jpg?oh=766f9e75b3af00c066bcb4b336be2010&oe=54D04E9F" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1526947_10152657831642489_7706764204831449661_n.jpg?oh=bf67b99af0520e559043777dfa6b6437&oe=54BA8EF4&__gda__=1422618526_428a8557de4e4ee67118909ca97058ee" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1526947_10152657831642489_7706764204831449661_n.jpg?oh=bf67b99af0520e559043777dfa6b6437&oe=54BA8EF4&__gda__=1422618526_428a8557de4e4ee67118909ca97058ee" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10592769_10152630083152489_2143760394740345211_n.jpg?oh=636a26ae72fc55bd1a15025a93c3b856&oe=54C778FF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10592769_10152630083152489_2143760394740345211_n.jpg?oh=636a26ae72fc55bd1a15025a93c3b856&oe=54C778FF" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10660097_10152682459257489_5891268957145528421_n.jpg?oh=07d5150ca6ad15f3e32b078a0538c427&oe=54BDAA02&__gda__=1422000983_575f98d8fe1e695411a94809b92c8163" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10660097_10152682459257489_5891268957145528421_n.jpg?oh=07d5150ca6ad15f3e32b078a0538c427&oe=54BDAA02&__gda__=1422000983_575f98d8fe1e695411a94809b92c8163" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10647096_10152692336137489_765295220098103911_n.jpg?oh=f275a062bbfdf417997698b62dfbab40&oe=54B55455&__gda__=1418098028_ff98572c03ffb6e59576339b4a28e9fb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10647096_10152692336137489_765295220098103911_n.jpg?oh=f275a062bbfdf417997698b62dfbab40&oe=54B55455&__gda__=1418098028_ff98572c03ffb6e59576339b4a28e9fb" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/7577_10152689074957489_7183680108687083217_n.jpg?oh=45030d59ab4eaa8e77620eff42470b03&oe=54C92C9D&__gda__=1422095968_0c5c00e551e245956029d5e50ef02c4b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/7577_10152689074957489_7183680108687083217_n.jpg?oh=45030d59ab4eaa8e77620eff42470b03&oe=54C92C9D&__gda__=1422095968_0c5c00e551e245956029d5e50ef02c4b" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10411311_10152678910062489_2059552117746028197_n.jpg?oh=d216194e1aaa9ddb020c2263ae16ae78&oe=54D0CBA7&__gda__=1422678466_95df1d64abdd8bfca731109168e8a65a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10411311_10152678910062489_2059552117746028197_n.jpg?oh=d216194e1aaa9ddb020c2263ae16ae78&oe=54D0CBA7&__gda__=1422678466_95df1d64abdd8bfca731109168e8a65a" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10440780_10152628222747489_5810570537807555606_n.jpg?oh=d418a34e8b744c3a5654f7315dbeaa74&oe=54858C67&__gda__=1421477170_cce7a54a94ff52131bf91ac4c2a20d55" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10440780_10152628222747489_5810570537807555606_n.jpg?oh=d418a34e8b744c3a5654f7315dbeaa74&oe=54858C67&__gda__=1421477170_cce7a54a94ff52131bf91ac4c2a20d55" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10565212_10154700409195523_3274099293880456372_n.jpg?oh=b8169bf7176038bfa7dd788e3c521b4c&oe=54B80EA9&__gda__=1420813247_6c01627644305fca77073b4581530495" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10565212_10154700409195523_3274099293880456372_n.jpg?oh=b8169bf7176038bfa7dd788e3c521b4c&oe=54B80EA9&__gda__=1420813247_6c01627644305fca77073b4581530495" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10645188_10152690793112489_1662018800461866631_n.jpg?oh=c96b2f1d4be6ff1b36ff089e476c5c38&oe=54CFAD0A&__gda__=1422934367_62f35bdc3d9e2eb6e76e9d77e00995bb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10645188_10152690793112489_1662018800461866631_n.jpg?oh=c96b2f1d4be6ff1b36ff089e476c5c38&oe=54CFAD0A&__gda__=1422934367_62f35bdc3d9e2eb6e76e9d77e00995bb" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10301494_10152690793207489_8422749363690756695_n.jpg?oh=70969b01a297041d78ee6711b188d963&oe=54BBD4D5&__gda__=1422642858_101b5e69a0049a129789be00213d65f2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10301494_10152690793207489_8422749363690756695_n.jpg?oh=70969b01a297041d78ee6711b188d963&oe=54BBD4D5&__gda__=1422642858_101b5e69a0049a129789be00213d65f2" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10407269_10152686725792489_4838439395502724861_n.jpg?oh=90f2fd7f179060d6cb21c490e72b0ad8&oe=54CF7127" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10407269_10152686725792489_4838439395502724861_n.jpg?oh=90f2fd7f179060d6cb21c490e72b0ad8&oe=54CF7127" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10612990_10152678476142489_6924364275319420915_n.jpg?oh=49902fcc7a7cf7aea601304206b71f58&oe=54BFBC81&__gda__=1422213527_927631d0240320afcdc34e2cca0cfc26" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10612990_10152678476142489_6924364275319420915_n.jpg?oh=49902fcc7a7cf7aea601304206b71f58&oe=54BFBC81&__gda__=1422213527_927631d0240320afcdc34e2cca0cfc26" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10526031_10152676319437489_20026484356727916_n.jpg?oh=df9d23be2d49b230606a1eb14b23f5fb&oe=54C76A58&__gda__=1422178948_056a61a1111cc1df4f402fd7a9ce3cc6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10526031_10152676319437489_20026484356727916_n.jpg?oh=df9d23be2d49b230606a1eb14b23f5fb&oe=54C76A58&__gda__=1422178948_056a61a1111cc1df4f402fd7a9ce3cc6" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10481710_10152659233627489_7938648650987995283_n.jpg?oh=7fcea21a448c7ca9801b93c211d52bed&oe=548386C6&__gda__=1421739411_ae3ce96cb56af4adb59d57d1286cf7e8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10481710_10152659233627489_7938648650987995283_n.jpg?oh=7fcea21a448c7ca9801b93c211d52bed&oe=548386C6&__gda__=1421739411_ae3ce96cb56af4adb59d57d1286cf7e8" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10678836_10152659234192489_859547327753081397_n.jpg?oh=6fde8d008a8506bf4ef1c328d1484286&oe=54B46F11&__gda__=1422381478_9d3a59f7fe37767a54de7b6357708dd7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10678836_10152659234192489_859547327753081397_n.jpg?oh=6fde8d008a8506bf4ef1c328d1484286&oe=54B46F11&__gda__=1422381478_9d3a59f7fe37767a54de7b6357708dd7" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10404068_10152622380152489_9012582482065802580_n.jpg?oh=e7db55b076e8e2863c638b08efb4a7f7&oe=54CE13EE&__gda__=1421525240_3785e3a6b6952d12e7c5fd111df75567" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10404068_10152622380152489_9012582482065802580_n.jpg?oh=e7db55b076e8e2863c638b08efb4a7f7&oe=54CE13EE&__gda__=1421525240_3785e3a6b6952d12e7c5fd111df75567" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-14004256838879929022014-08-12T14:41:00.001-04:002014-08-12T14:41:53.106-04:00She is here! |My Birth Story|Lily Rain born on her due date July 29th at 8:08 a.m. 7 lbs 4 oz, 20 inches long- little sweetie pie.<br />
<img src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t1.0-9/10402528_10152566867502489_6134088764947745361_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10340154_10152565780172489_2420017222802895960_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10013961_10152565779007489_3495087554823458728_n.jpg?oh=f8fed989706ea955d66063a2d1df1740&oe=545C9FAE&__gda__=1415362811_55946d31cebacfeb8dceda481c45d677" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10351820_10152565779122489_24007272200590047_n.jpg?oh=26282c032a0f90eb79858de743dff93a&oe=5477BF87&__gda__=1415824219_4b48db9d44e87e0e22a5ca93937f799c" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I don't think I will ever forget this day, as it was the most beautiful thing I have ever been a part of. But since I am an avid journal and memory keeper,- I want to write it down just in case the details seem blurry one day.<br />
<br />
So here goes-<br />
Monday July 28th- 39 weeks and 6 days I am at the Midwife's office being seen by Emily. I was a little nervous going into my appointment, curious to see if I made progression since the week before ( 1.5 cm dilated, 60% effaced, -3 Station) Emily and I discussed the C-Section I had scheduled a week from my due date and I was sick to my stomach thinking it would get to that point where I had to force Lily to come out. All I wanted as a whole was for her to come when she was ready, and when God intended her to. Emily and I then planned on an option that still left me weary but sat better with me: A scheduled induction rather than a C-Section for the following Tuesday. She then checked me and I was a 3, still 60% and now a -2 Station. Emily mentioned Lily still being high and it might be hard to break my water and pitocin would be needed to move things along the next week if it got to that. I was so bummed. She stripped my membranes (HOLY OW) and we joked that if it worked it would work in the next 24 hours and she was on call the next day, and would love to deliver my babe.<br />
<br />
I left the office discouraged.<br />
I prayed for peace and still had high hopes Lily would come on her own.<br />
<br />
Emily and I mentioned natural ways to help labor commence and it would only work if my body and baby were ready. I decided to try out my pump later that afternoon. It brought on contractions but nothing consistent. I then tried acupressure on my hand, ankle and pinky toes. (The pinky toe points work for real!)<br />
<br />
I decided to take Levi on a walk to the park, at this point it was 7 pm. I had few contractions on the way to and from the park and decided to note them in my phone. (I was supposed to call when my contractions were 8-10 minutes apart, since I was attempting a VBAC, I needed to be monitored sooner to make sure Lily's heart rate stayed normal) Nothing was too consistent. I had dinner, then decided to go on another walk. When I got back I put Levi to bed and the thought that this could be my last night tucking him in made me excited and nervous and sad all at the same time. I wasn't getting too hopeful though. This could be false labor, right?<br />
<br />
I tried my pump again at 8:45. This time the contractions were coming pretty consistent so Josh told me I should quit the pump to see if they kept up afterwards. At this time we were joking about how this could be it, but it couldn't be, right?<br />
<br />
I decided to shower, shave my legs and straighten my hair... JUST IN CASE!<br />
<br />
At this point- 9:30 pm, Josh decided to head to bed and I did too. Afterall, I would know if this was real labor if the contractions kept up while I was laying down. They did. I was keeping the times written down in my phone and kept second guessing myself. I remember one contraction would be 7 minutes apart, then the next one would be 11 minutes apart. I was thinking well 11 minutes isn't 8-10 minutes so that one doesn't count. I was praying for stronger contractions so I would know if it was real.<br />
<br />
Finally after putting it off for a few hours I made a call to the midwife on call, Pat. around 12 a.m. She asked me if I thought it was the real thing, and I thought I don't know! That's why I'm calling! Haha. My stomach was in knots, was I really ready for this!? Pat told me to go ahead and head in to triage and get checked.<br />
<br />
I went to wake up Josh, who was being such a sleepy head. He obviously didn't think I was serious, but I started getting more nervous. After getting off the phone with Pat, I started packing all our stuff and getting things ready to go to the car, and the contractions were then progressing to 7-8 minutes apart. I was telling Josh with more urgency to get the heck up we needed to go. I was so concerned about waiting at this point, because I wanted to make sure my Lily was okay and handling the contractions okay. (Uterine rupture was playing in my mind over and over-even the less than 2% it happens to, I wanted to be in the hospital right away in case!)<br />
<br />
After Josh's lengthy shower we finally got in the car. We left a note out for his mom and let her know that my mom would be by at 6:45 a.m. to pick up Levi, but we didn't want to wake her in case it wasn't the real thing. Pshhh...<br />
<br />
The drive was pretty typical. Bumpy roads hurt like hell, the contractions were now 5-7 minutes apart and the intensity kicked up a few notches. Josh wasn't driving fast enough, then he was driving too slow. The thought of being pulled over for speeding and prolonging our time to get to the hospital made my stomach turn even more.<br />
<br />
We finally park and the damn Main Entrance was locked! We had to walk into another entrance, get a security guard to walk us to the front and unlock the door for us. Talk about frustrating. Then he so kindly took us to the maternity floor so I immediately was grateful as we never took a hospital tour.<br />
<br />
Then lovely triage. The lady took forever to check me in even though my pre-registration had been completed for weeks. Once I get into triage, the contractions were very intense, but manageable to where I could lay in bed. I got monitors put on my belly to check Lily's heartbeat. I had to lay there for 20 minutes and the nurse would come back to check me and decide if I would stay or go home. I immediately said, just so you know the epidural is in my birth plan and I expect it ASAP. That's how bad the contractions were. She checked me, I was only 3 cm-bummed I prayed that within the next 20 minutes I would be a 4 so I could be checked in and get the epidural. Within the 20 minutes of being monitored, Josh snoozed and I was gritting my teeth in bed when all of a sudden I had to run to the bathroom and throw up. I chalked it up to nerves. The nurse came back in and said Pat wants you to walk for 20 minutes to make sure you're progressing and I'll check you after that 20 minutes. At this point the thought of walking was unimaginable. 20 minutes ago I was 3 cm so I needed to get my butt up and walk so I would be a 4! That's all I kept thinking. As soon as we got to the hallway, I was having contractions on top of each other with literally 20 second breaks. As soon as I went to take 2 steps another contraction would come on. These contractions were no joke. I had no idea how to manage them. I gripped the hallway rails and literally was moaning so loud, kind of screaming/crying. I kept telling Josh that something was wrong, there was no way it should hurt this bad at 3cm. He encouraged me to keep walking, but I couldn't. I was feeling burning down the back of my legs, my back was on fire, my uterus was contracting and the feeling was the worst pain I've ever had in my life. The nurses were all at their station listening to me in pain. I kept thinking surely they hear me and will know this isn't normal and will come give me the epidural. I was shaky, could barely stand and Josh had no idea what to do. I had no idea what to tell him to do. I DID NOT TAKE NATURAL BIRTH CLASSES FOR A REASON-it was not in my birth plan! All I could do was put my entire weight into those hallway rails and moan loudly. In between contractions I tried to tell myself I could get through it and I would have a break in between. Finally after about 15 minutes of this my triage nurse said, Honey let's check you, you sound like you're in pain- DUH! I'm not a wimp, this was on a whole different level. She asked me to get in bed, I pleaded for her to check me standing up, but she told me I needed to get up in bed real quick. Low and behold she shoves her hand up there and the look on her face is something I will never forget. She said...<br />
<br />
Oh my gosh, you have a bulging bag and you're a 9.<br />
I immediately screamed, no! I need the epidural I can't do this! Then a contraction came on and I said, omg she is coming out right now, I have to push! The nurse said, NO! Don't push, you need to blow like you're blowing out a candle. I started blowing candles out left and right. I was then rushed to the delivery room. The nurse called Pat and said, Are you here? Yeah she went from a 3 to a 9 in 25 minutes, you need to get here ASAP.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I am transferred to another bed, nurses flooded the room, they were setting up the baby bassinet, throwing on gloves, putting masks on, checking the monitors etc. Poor Josh was pale and shaking. I was still laying down kind of. I was so scared to switch positions. Nurses came in and introduced themselves and I just stared at the light trying to blow candles out. Josh was on my left, another nurse whom I can't remember her name was on my right. I was squeezing Josh's hand and asking him to push against me really hard so I could push back. He ended up asking a nurse named Heidi (An angel sent from above) to take over for a second because he thought he was going to pass out. Heidi came to my left side and immediately told me how to breathe- once again I had no idea what the heck I was doing-I was not prepared for this. Somehow I was able to breathe into her, squeezing her hand and getting through each contraction. Finally Pat came in. I remember saying Pat- Epidural, remember I was supposed to get one at 5cm! She said honey, let me check you-I'm afraid you may too far along for the epidural to take. It may just prolong your labor with no pain relief. I said, can we please try? I can't do this, I promise! She checked me and said, you're fully effaced and 9.5 cm, are you sure you don't want me to break your water, and just get this over with? I said let me think about it. Another contraction came, and after it was over I said I want the epidural. She called anesthesia and they came in very fast actually to my surprise. Nurses kept telling me if I broke my water, I could have her within 30 minutes in my arms. I didn't care. I wanted to try for pain relief.<br />
<br />
The anesthesiologist, I'll call her grumpy pants, told me I needed to swing my legs off the side of the bed and sit up straight. I was signing waivers with my eyes closed, trying to breathe and agreeing to the fact that I could die. Grumpy pants told me I needed to arch my back and sit very still. Well another angel sent from above, I cannot remember this nurse's name, stood right in front of me- I told grumpy pants hold on I'm having a contraction- I was literally bear hugging this nurse off the edge of the bed, breathing very loudly into her neck. This happened a few more times and grumpy pants told me I needed to sit still through a contraction or she wasn't going to attempt this. Finally I arched my back and told her to hurry. Having a contraction at 9.5 cm having to sit very still, straight up with feet hanging off the side of a bed was the worst thing in life. The nurse in front of me put her forehead to mine and told me to push with my head and squeeze her hand, but try to stay very still. Somehow I did. I was given a spinal tap to take the edge off first, and it takes quicker than an epidural. A contraction started to come on, I started to bear hug this nurse, started my breathing, then all of a sudden the contraction tapered off. I sat up straight with the biggest smile and said, wait-did it work!? Does that mean it worked!? Grumpy pants was then not so grumpy, laughed and said yes-good job! Now I am going to give you the epidural with a pump so you can control how much you get. I gladly said okay! And let me tell you. The relief is out of this world. As much as the contractions hurt, the relief felt just as good. I laid back, smiled and could finally breathe and relax my body. Pat broke my water then told me Lily was at a 0 station and still needed to come down, so she was going to leave and let me labor down for a few hours and Emily would be on shift. I was so excited for Emily to be coming in. She was always very for me having a vbac, and knew and understood how important it was to me. As were the other midwives, but Emily paid extra attention to my desire for it during my appointments with her. I was able to move my toes and legs which was something I couldn't do with Levi on the epidural.<br />
<br />
I was so relaxed. I finally asked how Lily was doing and how she handled the whole labor and the nurse told me she's done amazing and her heart rate has been perfect. I was so relieved, I was on my way to a VBAC. I did get a fever though and the nurses started to show a little concern. (I was terrified when I heard this because with Levi I got a fever at 9 cm and so did he and I ended up in a C Section) Emily came in and immediately eased my fears and said, I would get you pushing before I sent you in for a C Section. I loved her for that. She was making this happen for me!<br />
<br />
7:50 a.m. came along and Emily had me do a few practice pushes and told me how to breathe. I woke up Josh and told him it was time to push. He came up behind me with the camera and wiped his sleepy eyes. I immediately got emotional. The realization that my Lily did this all on her own, came down on her own and was finally ready-I couldn't have asked for anything more. That's all I wanted all along.I loved my decision even more for getting the epidural. It allowed me to relax and relish in what was happening. Everything was so calm and quiet.<br />
<br />
The nurses dimmed the lights, unbuttoned my gown so I could have her on my skin right away.<br />
I pushed once, Emily told me to feel her head, I giggled at the feeling of it!<br />
She told me the "ring of fire" was next to get her head out. I had feeling down there, but more so pressure than pain-which I was grateful to not be completely numb. I could tell what I was doing.<br />
<br />
I pushed again and her head was out. Emily and the nurses were so encouraging during this time.<br />
Emily told me to listen to her carefully so I wouldn't tear. She told me to push again, then slow down, I hung onto every word. I wanted to do this right!<br />
<br />
She told me to put my hands down there, and with the next push pull my Lily out. With help from another nurse I pushed and out came her body and I pulled her onto my chest.<br />
<br />
I'm tearing up thinking about that feeling. I don't think I'll ever forget that moment. Lily was here. Big eyed, crying the sweetest softest cry, and immediately latched on and just stared up at me. It was beautiful. And my miracle. It felt so natural to have her on me, warm, wet and eating right away. I could not believe what just happened. Tears were streaming, and Emily said, you just had a VBAC! She's beautiful! I still can't believe it. I think women who want to have a VBAC very bad hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Its inevitable during any birth to think of the worst, but even more so when a repeat c-section is the last thing you want.<br />
<br />
The nurses left us alone, just us three. Emily then came and delivered my placenta and told me I didn't tear! I did have a little laceration but it didn't need stitches. That alone was a shock to me. Everything that happened, was how it was meant to be. And that alone sent peace washing over me. I couldn't believe my body actually did this. I couldn't believe how good I felt afterwards, how normal I felt. I really felt like I could just get up and walk around no problem.<br />
<br />
After Lily had some skin to skin and was checked by the nurses (which was all done with her on my chest, including her vitamin k vaccine) Josh went and got Levi. I wanted Levi to be the first one to meet his sister, and seeing him walk in with Josh brought on another flood of tears. Our lives were forever changed in an instant, and our hearts grew bigger without thinking twice. Lily was the new baby of the family and Levi sat right next to me, hung onto my arm and just smiled. He did say bye bye baby, which for the first time made me laugh and I knew he would be an amazing big brother and I just pictured her tagging along for years to come.<br />
<br />
Then my Mom, Dad, Hannah and Holly came in to meet Lily. They were all taken aback by my experience and how beautiful she was.<br />
<br />
She is already loved by so many. I cannot imagine my days before her and my heart has definitely created space for her.<br />
<br />
Although my labor was very speedy and scary, I don't regret the team at Columbus Midwives for my care, and especially my decisions I made even at 9.5 cm. I am so grateful for my experience and it was a day I will never forget.<br />
<br />
{P.s. Now I know why I wanted a birth photographer. Keeping my 50 mm lens on for my Husband to use was not the best idea. As every picture is either blurry or way too close. But bless his heart for trying!}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZagUtFvRO-eELFL-RjvIhYh240KhwY5lAKxybkCbZgVfREz6bLIq8z6xGcMTOoNhKu26GT1nvia_GURk9DvBzAkry74FHAVVhXLS3h-ixnZWZGOGp-05dZeM9l2V_sYEcmcSEeFIKIEo/s1600/Abi73-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZagUtFvRO-eELFL-RjvIhYh240KhwY5lAKxybkCbZgVfREz6bLIq8z6xGcMTOoNhKu26GT1nvia_GURk9DvBzAkry74FHAVVhXLS3h-ixnZWZGOGp-05dZeM9l2V_sYEcmcSEeFIKIEo/s1600/Abi73-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxml86zCOg8k4QJK_KPnJbmN_N_XBfj-xPIZeACoXZw0KQe8Db-2YcnRpan-tWzy_TVdXvzv9jKAaKY0s0zx5-nEUVdau0AabyYWe-gRsotrOTZQ29BkrZ-CBEUufOlTZxVYDovDI2QW4/s1600/Abi73-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxml86zCOg8k4QJK_KPnJbmN_N_XBfj-xPIZeACoXZw0KQe8Db-2YcnRpan-tWzy_TVdXvzv9jKAaKY0s0zx5-nEUVdau0AabyYWe-gRsotrOTZQ29BkrZ-CBEUufOlTZxVYDovDI2QW4/s1600/Abi73-4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7azxb6_xHg_KmaabH5NnklWI25A6nvpm-ta9ZwAfiP4l9ZAfoYHpY-MXAk5Uepe_KUmHVHS_PiGJfF80kjMJ-iqE6vkdd15gLXXdwObXYql_evO77bs63BO28GAJQnpL-LMKZLs_t8U/s1600/Abi73-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7azxb6_xHg_KmaabH5NnklWI25A6nvpm-ta9ZwAfiP4l9ZAfoYHpY-MXAk5Uepe_KUmHVHS_PiGJfF80kjMJ-iqE6vkdd15gLXXdwObXYql_evO77bs63BO28GAJQnpL-LMKZLs_t8U/s1600/Abi73-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaOVo0ypcR4BLzby-z4cisg65lpVNoRZ64OnhZ4rmhypDcyFKWxkcxl3hzes9qWiK68JvziIfsuSZGv-UT9lzAoOV3vfqbp-5HiVBuQAy-sHbeXskj4QBk6G2TrgvlA7tVlj-eWRVCZo/s1600/Abi73-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaOVo0ypcR4BLzby-z4cisg65lpVNoRZ64OnhZ4rmhypDcyFKWxkcxl3hzes9qWiK68JvziIfsuSZGv-UT9lzAoOV3vfqbp-5HiVBuQAy-sHbeXskj4QBk6G2TrgvlA7tVlj-eWRVCZo/s1600/Abi73-8.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRnvqksssKCN5FbAekoHVvLu9TBRejkwuFAYlemx7urxFK5lTfBQni9V440U8i8Sxx91X0O4wxYzp-zQR-G3K7A3wC6b-uKfXQVyJQVy5XEdgko5MDhvNISouiCmlwkAS83hmIO-Atdw/s1600/Abi73-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRnvqksssKCN5FbAekoHVvLu9TBRejkwuFAYlemx7urxFK5lTfBQni9V440U8i8Sxx91X0O4wxYzp-zQR-G3K7A3wC6b-uKfXQVyJQVy5XEdgko5MDhvNISouiCmlwkAS83hmIO-Atdw/s1600/Abi73-9.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8IBA0YN8ZTejTMBoQdy3KcHiaBr-YtyzsjOSnvuQ6D7VjhtFJ_hRqBeNUq8rsMexhyBPHOXdThQsVA8rmJqjUPg3DozfykDZ3ZcJ5L1RTzdgMCFPvEkGX-AAlb7T2b34xmPgGuwsFZw/s1600/Abi73-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8IBA0YN8ZTejTMBoQdy3KcHiaBr-YtyzsjOSnvuQ6D7VjhtFJ_hRqBeNUq8rsMexhyBPHOXdThQsVA8rmJqjUPg3DozfykDZ3ZcJ5L1RTzdgMCFPvEkGX-AAlb7T2b34xmPgGuwsFZw/s1600/Abi73-10.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIoka18sCGJBjUfa4GSqUxLFka3drLHIWDHHCiAO7qqrgoY2lBLTfOeHYdARyl5bAaItSmCOUMSaypUa7FTRcfyXR0KDAhilzAOh786gJ2YfTR-il2i4o9L4ZQGXxvZcfhoHm85YatiI/s1600/Abi73-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIoka18sCGJBjUfa4GSqUxLFka3drLHIWDHHCiAO7qqrgoY2lBLTfOeHYdARyl5bAaItSmCOUMSaypUa7FTRcfyXR0KDAhilzAOh786gJ2YfTR-il2i4o9L4ZQGXxvZcfhoHm85YatiI/s1600/Abi73-18.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSXbe-cVDnEpyVMLxbFHI_BVuw0uavQD1QqcYmR8RMwf8TUH7OYZxXWNg7xDwsmtfXoJtdEDKBm682BWxCsvbh4gtagjS2WC5BNS8o1WzJ8Duo7NcyEASJdXSrqeV9pjCh_CUpT7GBPU/s1600/Abi73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSXbe-cVDnEpyVMLxbFHI_BVuw0uavQD1QqcYmR8RMwf8TUH7OYZxXWNg7xDwsmtfXoJtdEDKBm682BWxCsvbh4gtagjS2WC5BNS8o1WzJ8Duo7NcyEASJdXSrqeV9pjCh_CUpT7GBPU/s1600/Abi73.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10157126_10152568320822489_6276412844034376431_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10178104_10152574827972489_291367603280591333_n.jpg?oh=8b2e22a297f990a9b6a9b4fc50d0595a&oe=547856C2" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10443552_10152577323737489_1211280871427784887_n.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="480" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10355751_10152580595612489_7502360786841831872_n.jpg?oh=8848a29141f394af346dab6e4cae0d91&oe=5474751D&__gda__=1415669259_0001f607d98716fd12c417f24cdddbda" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10380354_10152589218932489_4558006802140972076_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10559946_10152589582052489_6661499713310333694_n.jpg?oh=b4dc768a8822b530433de41bbfe52eaa&oe=548117CB&__gda__=1416092381_b527ce0553c119458d29c1addbeed3e7" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10606557_10203500125038316_8871810791025979085_n.jpg?oh=20893facad872f9c086390db2414a945&oe=54662B5C" width="480" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10592687_10152592592772489_8298705005297805439_n.jpg?oh=ca00092e19e481ea5207cd888272b853&oe=547C7C2F&__gda__=1416097098_4dd523c614eb98b7747f66e444cb93db" width="640" /><br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10580261_10152596065597489_6698282230647150099_n.jpg?oh=967e3ff5f7826380aa25291595d8cdad&oe=545CFDA6&__gda__=1417540825_f042ec4d0dc18619294f961c06c23f8d" /><br />
<br />
Life with Lily has been an adjustment for all of us. She pretty much sleeps, poops and eats. She is over her birth weight and is doing 4-5 hour stretches through the night. No complaining here!<br />
<br />
In a weird way it seems like she's always been a part of our family. Levi had a really rough first 2-3 days, but has turned around and the difference is night and day. I would almost leave them alone in a room together, almost ;) Give it another two weeks and this kid will be absolutely smitten with his little sis.<br />
<br />
This was the longest post in history.<br />
<br />
:)hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-68318504662614506882014-07-19T16:31:00.002-04:002014-07-19T16:31:50.391-04:0038.4 Weeks!<img height="426" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10376848_10152535739127489_8304671920623706379_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Here I am. 38.4 weeks, with my due date approaching very quickly! I won't go into the details of how I'm feeling because how does every pregnant woman feel at this stage of pregnancy, 29 pounds heavier, in this Summer heat? All I will say is the second time around you feel every.little.ounce of being pregnant. The kicks are stronger, the emotions higher, the sleep more sleepless, the Braxton Hicks more painful, the urge to pee more intense, the days more exhausting. All that being said, I do feel pretty good overall.<br />
<br />
Josh and I made a huge life change a few weeks ago, so that made time go by faster I will have to say. We were presented with an opportunity that came with it positives and negatives, and as an expectant Mama I was up all night debating it. We had people interested in renting our condo at a price that we couldn't really pass up. The question was, do we rent somewhere, buy something else? Well Josh's Mom-who has a rather large house, with an upstairs area that includes two bedrooms, a spacious bathroom and a loft area- offered to let us move in to save for a down payment, pay off debts/ student loans etc. Well. I was very on the fence. I mean I have a two year old, and a newborn on the way. We've done this before while we were waiting to close on our condo. I actually brought Levi home here for two weeks until we moved into our own place. It is very ironic to be back here, and bringing another baby to this very house. But I know logistically it will set us up to be financially ready to buy a house and will allow me to not use student loans this year. So we packed up our condo and within 4 days moved to my Mother in Law's. Call me crazy. I am. We do have everything set up and ready to go, so I'm just going with the flow and hoping for the best! God bless my Mother in Law who is so selfless and extremely helpful! And cooks yummy dinners! ;)<br />
<br />
As far as Lily goes, at my last appointment, she wasn't "engaged" yet which was a huge bummer. I know a lot can change in a week, so I've been trying to keep up my walking, sitting on an exercise ball and saying a lot of prayers :) I basically have until 40 weeks to show progression and hopefully have this baby, because the chances of having a successful VBAC after 40 weeks drops a ton. I am still hopeful that I will avoid a C-Section, but I can't make Lily do anything. So in the meantime I am just doing what I can and trusting she will arrive into this world the way God intends. I have my 39 week appointment Monday, the Midwife will try and work a little magic, and let me know if I am dilated at all. In the meantime, you can find me doing figure 8's on my exercise ball! :)<br />
<br />
It still feels incredibly surreal to me that I am having another baby. I felt this way with Levi too. I mean sometimes it feels like I will just be pregnant forever. Levi is showing signs of knowing what is about to happen, although who really knows how much he understands. I am excited to give him a baby sister and I know he will jump right into the big brother role with ease. That kid is resilient.<br />
<br />
Its nice having Maddie here. She keeps Levi entertained and always laughing. It also gives me a break every now and then! She is a great Big Sister.<br />
<br />
We did manage to get some maternity/ family pictures, and even though it was blazing hot and Levi was not cooperative we got some good ones!<br />
<img src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10540853_10152535739162489_9118517416531338165_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10502124_10152535739857489_8070916190002857411_n.jpg?oh=d1976ad834efb34a292e6ca8e52da076&oe=543B1DD3&__gda__=1413157573_492c47dff2963c6fab30a8d3ecea424a" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10527361_10152535739767489_1660008441847644119_n.jpg?oh=3aba29cc3476e1c7e18cd6a979c8019a&oe=54533DC9" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10473070_10152535740217489_4149484642262013786_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10439344_10152535740062489_4391570724012391907_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10271588_10152535740622489_5608746479433307355_n.jpg?oh=95f97760846034ef4ffee440a8f8d2ba&oe=544C8495&__gda__=1413080195_2c6aca9c239aa3586401dbc3788ded9b" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10551068_10152535740682489_8478545279110392097_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
XO<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-53080289555228723842014-05-19T14:32:00.001-04:002014-05-19T14:32:22.241-04:00Currently Today is probably the first day I feel rested, relaxed and actually on break. Yes we went on vacation, but I quickly learned what vacation was like with a two and a half year old. ;) There wasn't a lot of resting and relaxation going on. It was more like Levi's vacation. Up at 6 am jumping on our bed/falling off his in the middle of the night, tears after tears when it was time to leave the beach, running from us every. time. we. put. him. down. Going into it I had high expectations I think. I quickly realized that family vacations are better with a Grandma there ;) And maybe not 7 months pregnant. <br />
<br /><br />
With all of that said, it was such a joy to actually all be together for once. Josh's schedule has been insane the past 9 months it seems, as well as mine with school. So despite the madness and mood swings from a little blue eyed boy, we made memories. Levi experienced what it was like jumping in the waves, and my heart about exploded with happiness hearing a laugh I've never heard before coming from him. It was pure, elated joy he felt and we gave him that, we gave him that experience. He was extremely satisfied with unlimited sand to roll around in and play in, which was a plus when we wanted to just sit and breathe in the ocean air for a few minutes at a time. Levi ran up to numerous people saying hi, blowing kisses and hugging them. What a lover that boy is. He grew a liking towards airplanes as we saw the military jets fly over us numerous times. He would wave and chase the airplane then blow kisses to the airplane as it disappeared in the clouds. He learned that chasing seagulls may come second best to jumping in waves. <br />
<br /><br />
I was so happy that Josh was around for a solid week. Levi who always wants me, exhaustingly asks for Mommy 24/7 actually wanted Daddy to sleep next to him, play with him, swim with him etc. The cutest thing that just about melted me to the ground was when Levi always waited for Josh or I with a "Come on Mommy, Come on Daddy" so we were all together, then he reached for both of our hands every time we went on a walk. Even more heart melting was when he wanted to sit in the middle of us in our bed and he pushed our heads together to hug and kiss. Did I tell you this boy is a lover? He loved us all being together and it was enough to bring me to tears because sometimes I forget how much Levi knows and understands. He understood us all being together and it made him truly happy. So there it is. Vacations can be messy, chaotic, not relaxing, frustrating and limiting with a toddler, but if the outcome is a little boy being truly happy that him, mommy and daddy are all together then my heart is full. I would do crazy every single day to experience the feeling of being wanted and needed. His ability to love and his really pure and kind heart makes me that much more excited to give him a sister. She is already so lucky and neither of them know it yet. <br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10172643_10152401985797489_4554260369795338220_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" width="425" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10325226_10152401986242489_962077519725698973_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1544422_10152401986872489_5854974829143590028_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/10339726_10152401987347489_2582017256754146233_n.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10309485_10152401987627489_5936496620603205045_n.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/l/t1.0-9/10330368_10152401987772489_3940048566852438771_n.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10325633_10152401988587489_6940270146535399556_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/10264827_10152401988722489_9031533373374800281_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10172708_10152401989002489_1683830741063426603_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10361412_10152401989377489_1086731860815785805_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10325783_10152401990312489_1909953809539944485_n.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10290657_10152401990532489_8475177188636690403_n.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/10298910_10152401990917489_7065252688623573752_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 348px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10372785_10152401991142489_5475440722614461680_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/10251956_10152401991482489_5562623837160311875_n.jpg" style="height: 496px; width: 651px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10370428_10152401992222489_8781034572053107739_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10374528_10152401992247489_8762427658137702846_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10154151_10152401987087489_356220128833406810_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 347px;" /><br />
<br /><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/10152405_10152402031537489_289564111833797503_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; width: 346px;" /><br />
If I think about what really matters, it was a wonderful trip and I am so glad we took it.<br />
<br /><br />
Currently being 7 months pregnant, I am realizing this is all real and will be actually happening in a few months. This, being a baby girl. I always pushed myself from getting super excited and consuming my every day with this new baby when it came to the room, the registry, the prepping etc. Now that it is almost Summer and we all know summer flies by here in Ohio I am needing to buckle down. I am thankful I am having a great pregnancy so far and still have energy to get things done. I start my online summer class in a week, so much for a break! So this week I have to use my time wisely. I have met three of the four midwives so far and I love each and every one of them. They are all unique and different in their own way but all have in common what's important. I love the stability and not being afraid to ask questions, and its refreshing that there is a common ground when it comes to Lily making her way into this world. However it happens, I am at peace with the women I chose to be taking care of us. I am now going every two weeks and my next visit I meet with the OB the midwives use. I've been prepped that he will give me a full and detailed VBAC consult and consent. I will also be asked to schedule a C-Section at term, which is my choice, but that will be their advice as the success of having a VBAC decreases after 40 weeks. This gave me a bit of anxiety, but I know I have no control ultimately how this goes down. I am anxious to meet the doctor to get his opinion, but I know it is important and I like that the option of meeting the doctor is even available to me. I am not spending my days stressing or worrying about how Lily will come into this world. Instead I am confident that she will come the way she is meant to and I trust those providing care for me to help me make the best decision for us. <br />
With that being said, I am trying to get my butt out walking more with the more consistent weather we are having. Our pool also just opened so I am looking forward to getting some laps in too. <br />
The baby shower invites went out. I am really excited to actually celebrate this baby girl. It is definitely harder with a toddler running around to meditate on being pregnant. Usually its not until late at night when I feel her tumbling around that I actually smile and talk to her. <br />
<br /><br />
I am experiencing lots of emotions about bringing a new baby into our family. I have such a connection and bond with Levi that almost seems incomparable to anything else in this world. Will I have just as much of a bond with Lily? Will she get as much love from me that Levi has had these past two and a half years? I know ultimately the answer is yes. But the emotions are still there. I hope to be as perfect in Lily's eyes as I am in Levi's. I hope Levi adjusts well and still knows how much I love him. I get a pang in my heart when I think about how Levi won't remember the times we've had just me and him. He won't remember the early morning dancing in the kitchen cooking breakfast, cuddling to Sesame Street, daily outings to play and explore, bath time giggles, me kissing his boo boos, our love for reading we share, the multiple crafts we do where he wants me to be right by his side, the clean up dance we do every morning when making his bed and picking up his room, the drives on the back roads with the windows down just talking to each other...etc. He won't remember any of that. It makes me sad. But I have those memories in my heart. We have lots of pictures, evidence of his first scribbles to his elaborate colorful paintings hanging up, and many years to make more as a family of four.<br />
<br /><br />
I think as a first time Mom we all have those thoughts like "Will I be a good Mom?" And of course the answer is yes.<br />
Second time Moms like myself have thoughts like "Will I be just as good a Mom to Lily as I am to Levi?" <br />
I just pray every day that God gives me the tools and the room in my heart to raise two children and give them both the love they deserve. <br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/205297_10151102347402489_615730763_n.jpg" style="height: 518px; width: 520px;" /><br />
If I can make one baby happy and adore me then I can make another one, right? :)<br />
Novel. Done. <br />
XO<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-26073405725005753372014-03-06T13:23:00.001-05:002014-03-06T13:23:48.868-05:00Lately-What hasn't been going on lately? My mind has been swirling non stop with thoughts lately and to-do lists before baby girl Lily makes her arrival in July. Yes I said it!<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1962856_10152250356152489_1140463419_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
We were SHOCKED. I guess you could say that deep down I thought we were having a girl. But I didn't know if that was my true inclination or it was just my deepest hope to have a baby girl. Either way, most people said oh its a boy, and I really started to expect that. Well once the gooey wand was on my belly, baby girl had her legs spread wide open and the Tech said, "Wanna know now?" And I said, "there's a penis in there isn't there!?" and she said, "No, 100% a girl. Never been so sure!"<br />
Josh and I just stared at each other in complete awe. We've always made comments about having a little girl, that was Josh's hope, and we were tickled by the thought. Its no longer a thought, its really happening! Watch out Pinterest, Etsy DIY projects, and Nursery decorating!<br />
<br />
So here goes why my mind is swirling. Regarding birth. Okay I know my first go round with Levi I was all Gimme the drugs, pump me up, make me feel no pain, wipe off my messy baby before handing him to me, no one look down there except the doctor, etc. etc. Well with that kind of attitude I had an experience that, lets just say this time around brought me awareness and knowledge-guilt and frustration. I didn't have an experience I felt joyous about, heck I barely could open my eyes during my <i>emergency</i> C-Section, didn't even kiss my baby before they took him away to the nursery, where he wasn't held for 3 hours until I awoke from the over-medicated sleep I involuntarily had. Long story short. I didn't have the experience I hoped for because I had NO CLUE what I was doing. I surrendered to the hospital. My doctor didn't think it was important to prepare me, I guess that's an individual's responsibility even if its your first time.<br />
<br />
So here I am, researching, watching documentaries, asking questions, etc. Realizing that hey, my Birth Plan may not work out, but at least I know what I want in those situations and can make it clear to my Doctor. I'm swaying in the middle regarding doing a natural birth with a Midwife at a hospital, or with my Doctor, or receive pain meds. My fear about receiving pain meds is it can slow down labor, therefore putting me at risk for C-Section, and even chance me not being mentally there for yet another birth. I'm also attempting a VBAC so a Home Birth unfortunately (which is very, very, appealing to me) does not sit well with my Husband, as VBACS can be tricky and require medical attention in a blink of an eye.-But so can any delivery. Anywho, I am meeting with a Midwife to get information, get a feel for whether this is something that I can do, and if not I am highly considering getting a Doula to be with me at the hospital to help make sure my birth goes how I want it to (generally speaking). SO. I am a completely different woman than I was with Levi in regards to giving birth. Heck, save the Hep B shot, petroleum on my baby's eyes, and Vitamin K shot. I don't have STD's, so neither will my baby, and she's not being circumcised. Give me my messy baby and keep her messy as long as possible. Delay cutting her cord as long as possible. Let her stay with me, on me as long as possible. Don't mention giving her formula because I look sleepy. Don't wash her with Johnson & Johnson baby soap filled with chemicals to harm her already non existent immune system. Please and Thank you.<br />
<br />
I also plan on nursing. I feel a little guilty about how uninformed/prepared I was for breastfeeding with Levi and I just gave up after exclusively pumping for 3 weeks minus the first 4 days he latched on great. I was in so much pain I couldn't even hold Levi -after being engorged- on my chest. But knowing the benefits a baby receives from it (especially long term) trumps any pain I may face-which I know will be manageable because I will be prepared!---My thoughts exactly when it comes to pain medication in a hospital. I find it so odd that you can't have this and that, over the counter meds, certain teas, fish etc while pregnant but BAM go into labor and you can have pitocin, epidurals, other meds, interventions, and ever MAJOR surgery. Hmm and your baby is <i>not affected.</i> Its disturbing that long term research has not been clarified- but what's been gathered definitely suggests a parallel to asthma, allergies, autism and more. Fear the needle?<br />
<br />
I did read that a woman having a pain free labor/birth is equivalent to 20 bones breaking at once. EEEk!<br />
<br />
Whew. You see? These are the kinds of thoughts I have all day. I just want to do what's best for my baby and I, and I am seeking out the best way to do so in a hospital. Tips, advice etc. from anyone, I LOVE hearing stories.<br />
<br />
As of late...<br />
I am 19 weeks and 2 days! Almost half way there, what!?<br />
<img src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1891138_10152261686537489_1870342073_n.jpg" /><br />
I am having trouble getting comfortable at night, I get charlie horses in my legs, my belly gets stretched the wrong way while I bend over and it hurts like hell! I keep forgetting I can't twist and wind freely anymore. My cravings are actually not as strong as they were. I'm really not craving much right now, just lots of water. I always feel thirsty. Lily is kicking away, not hard enough to where Josh can feel it, just me :) And I kind of love it that way-selfishly. Just me and her right now. :) I get out and walk whenever I can-gotta love the polar vortex Ohio has been graciously faced with. Not. Its the worst being pregnant and being cooped up inside all day. I am looking forward to having a baby shower-as I've been informed with a second baby and different sex, its OKAY to have one. Ha. Which is good, because we have a lot of the big stuff, now we just need smaller stuff-bottles, binkies, blankets, wraps, nursing accessories, etc etc. Little things, yet important. I am working on my registry now, which is fun. Its exciting this time around KNOWING what I need. Not just what looks cute and is a waste of money. And also knowing what I'm getting into (unless she is up all night, never dealt with that-please sleep like your brother Lily!) And when it comes to the nursery/shared bedroom with her brother, being able to actually paint/decorate budget conscious of course. With Levi we were in my MIL's house while waiting to close on our condo and nothing was ready. Its exciting to actually do the whole get the room ready process, I've never experienced that!<br />
<br />
<img src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1800298_10152251634342489_1630463120_n.jpg" /><br />
Levi and I have been keeping busy in his playroom which he loves. I HATE not having windows down there and using the fluorescent lighting, but as soon as it warms up, we can do a lot more outside. I would love to incorporate some Reggio Emilia activities for Levi this Summer, and really get him exploring and learning in nature. I can't wait to roam around with him.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1964896_10152255782622489_56719408_n.jpg" /><br />
Levi is taking his time in the language dept. I know by now his pace is slower, yet still consistent than a lot of toddlers his age. But he's getting there! He's still on the 2 word phrases, but picking up more and more and I know it will only be a matter of time before he is talking up a storm. He is doing great in his big boy bed, loving his books more and more, loving to practice counting, loves stomping around in the snow, and especially loves doing sprints from the kitchen to the front door lately. Can you tell I want/need Summer so we can get outside! Levi literally doesn't stop smiling when i buckle him in the stroller and its time for a walk, he loves it as much as I do!<br />
<br />
Josh is still working his butt off. I'm pretty sure I won't see him until Monday, as his classes are being made up this weekend ALLLL day, then he has to work 12's after that. His last week of class is next week though. Thank you Jesus!!! Its been a long 6 months with practically 1.5 days off a week. And I mean leaving at 7 and coming home at midnight during the week (except Mon, Tues Wed-He's home at 3) then Thurs-Sun night is awful. I am so looking forward to him getting the job we are oh so praying for and having him home in the evenings for dinner and on the weekends to actually spend quality time as a family and have normalcy.<br />
<br />
Despite everything swirling around in my head, we are truly blessed. We are blessed with doors opening up for our family, opportunities, a healthy family, and of course a healthy baby girl on the way. Its easy to ball up my thoughts and make them seem like they are so important, which they are, but just not enough to completely distract me from life and lose sleep over it. Everything will be okay and work itself out. Deep breath, Hope!<br />
XOhope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-33035427354401888202014-02-07T00:27:00.003-05:002014-02-07T00:27:53.907-05:00My pregnancy thus far...<img src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1544381_10152196916797489_1020270627_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Let me start off by saying that I look and feel pregnant physically, but mentally my mind has not grasped it completely. I am over the moon ecstatic to build our family. I've always wanted lots of kids and a big family and this is just such a happy time for Josh and I. Its nice that this babe was planned, although not expected so fast after only two months of trying-but, at least this time I wasn't balling and freaking out like I did with Levi--TOTAL SURPRISE--But I am still finding it hard to believe I will have two babies. I haven't had a newborn in two years, and its safe to say, I am feeling the nerves of another new baby already!<br />
<br />
I am about 15 weeks pregnant, and feeling every bit of it and more. I never knew it was possible to look 28 weeks pregnant, have back pains, have trouble getting comfortable, needing to buy maternity pants this early on. It is crazy to me that this time around can be so different. I am having similar cravings as I did with Levi such as a bowl of Cheerios, Chipotle, spaghetti, clementines, hummus, cheese and orange juice. Other than the cravings, everything else in this pregnancy thus far has been very different than my first time around.<br />
<br />
I am feeling anxious knowing I will have to share my time and attention with another babe. Levi has always had my attention when he needed it, my love, my hugs and kisses. I've been his playmate all day, his storyteller, his singer, his eating buddy since he was born. And I get a sad feeling wondering how he will be affected. When Levi was born I never knew what that kind of love meant or felt like, and he literally had all my love once he was here(despite his daddy). I've talked to Moms who have two kids and they tell me its completely natural when you have the new babe to love them as much as you love the first. I definitely believe this. But just like it was very surreal to me before Levi was here, that he would actually be mine and be in my arms, this time around seems just as surreal. Two babies will have all my love. And somehow, naturally, my heart will continue to grow when it seems like it can't grow anymore. I do know that Levi will be an amazing big brother, and he will adjust. My heart gets so warm and full thinking about Levi having another sibling to share a room with, a bond so special with, and the memories they will make together. Its another first for my little family and I am embracing this journey with a full heart.<br />
<br />
Josh and I are exploring options within our living space. Here in this good ole' condo that will probably be home for another year or two, please don't say three. Levi and the new babe will have to share a room, as we only have two bedrooms, but we're going to make it work.<br />
<br />
We are trying to transition Levi now into a toddler bed, so that by the time the babe comes we won't have any surprises. Transition probably isn't a good word, considering we cut out the crib cold turkey.<br />
<br />
With everything we've transitioned, we've always done it cold turkey. The bottle, we cut that out without weaning him off. The binkie, we cut that without any notice. Everything we've done seems to have worked very well with Levi's temperament so we thought we should do the same with the bed. Although Levi could still have many months in that crib (He still has never tried to climb out), and its easier for us...I want him to be ready and comfortable when the babe comes. I don't want to have any new changes than what we will already have.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/7754_10152204611842489_1806055733_n.jpg" /><br />
Levi has transitioned amazing to the new toddler bed. He's always been a good sleeper. As a newborn the kid slept 9 hours a night, and has been on an 8-8/8-9 sleeping schedule since he was a few months old. But I could almost have promised that this bed would be a free for all for him and that would change.<br />
<br />
So far, I lay him down at 8, read a story and sing him a song. We say prayers, kiss his animals and I tell him to close his eyes (and he actually takes his hand and closes his eyes, its the cutest). He shuffles for about 20 minutes then is out cold. He then comes strolling in our room, around 6am, blankie and giraffe in tow, and runs up to my side of the bed saying "HI!!!" pretty loudly. Instead of putting him in bed with us to cuddle and get back to sleep (which we tried the first night and only made it worse,- my fault for putting him in his crib as a NB), I walked him straight to his room, tucked him in and said night night. He literally fell back asleep until 8:30 a.m. I mean this kid amazes me. He is so easy going, and laid back.<br />
<img src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1010392_10152207878042489_42983915_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Nap time is another story though. I have to go in his room at least 6 times and remind him to lay down and sleep. Normally in the crib he would be out like a light in 10 minutes. I have taken all the toys out of his room so he's not distracted. He literally found a way to play with his 2 animals and blankets. He kept taking them off the bed, folding them, kissing them, then putting them back on the bed and repeat. Haha. I finally went in and took his 2 animals away and he cried because he wanted his puppy. :( I felt bad. But it worked.<br />
<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
Its important to me to take time to write about my pregnancy so far. Its hard to focus on this pregnancy with school, and chasing Levi all day. But I will make a definite effort to give this baby a few moments a day, as much as I can to just breathe and relish in the fact that God has blessed us with another addition!<br />
<br />XO<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-87036469895844971502014-01-02T13:40:00.003-05:002014-01-02T13:40:34.899-05:00Reflecting on 2013What a year it has been for my little family. We have grown, changed, learned, struggled and dreamed. I'll recap the highs and lows of our year. Its always nice to reflect.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
| January |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little boy got his MRI (Scariest moment of my life to date) to ensure his dilated pupil was not caused by scariness in his brain. All turned out normal. THANK GOD. This moment really restored my faith, and allowed me to let go of some control as a Mom. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuf1LKjpBWl3cWiLNbd70uKUmikc7VzsiTE9oRd65pZhsaMSSqsULNzGlG93kyr_uE1IsSG488CA42VvkwR3Eat1n9OUGSHrVe1AZtoJzpemAVMTpGF1IibqwrSSe3LhbdZPlp0aLXeOQ/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuf1LKjpBWl3cWiLNbd70uKUmikc7VzsiTE9oRd65pZhsaMSSqsULNzGlG93kyr_uE1IsSG488CA42VvkwR3Eat1n9OUGSHrVe1AZtoJzpemAVMTpGF1IibqwrSSe3LhbdZPlp0aLXeOQ/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| February |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We lost my Grandpa. It was a really tough time for our family, the last of my grandparents were gone. Forever. All we could hold on to was the memory of his laugh, his singing, his penmanship and his sense of humor. He was a great, great man. I miss him so much. I am thankful that he got to know Levi for a little while.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpqJ8UcYus9LqSBGddYiA5aL2nkrQurrrruOm3KOToHPSb687bqJCcpf63th_zQmQKPhoBZbQv5_znHfoX_xs6VtSVW2nYZWQxS2EQfjzWnwbumUcLKF0Km_jVj-eQHwXGskA8en4F-Q/s1600/grandpa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpqJ8UcYus9LqSBGddYiA5aL2nkrQurrrruOm3KOToHPSb687bqJCcpf63th_zQmQKPhoBZbQv5_znHfoX_xs6VtSVW2nYZWQxS2EQfjzWnwbumUcLKF0Km_jVj-eQHwXGskA8en4F-Q/s640/grandpa2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| March |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh and I took our first weekend getaway ever as a couple, and for the first time we left behind our little man. I was a nervous wreck, but it was a much needed time alone. We learned how important it is to take time for ourselves. Our marriage really felt refreshed when we got back, and essentially allowed us to be better parents to Levi.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Va6kHf_5pujZVBMNaY-37CXtVqUp4PbiVpVIAjRFGUQPdj1u7LXoEzPuDUk9Cst5krK4xy7fn7iYtSAusD23Kznx9R0zuzKVkUgQ7Li1IM3XGDr3qn8XSvVm5r8Ertr64FTTj8TNBCs/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Va6kHf_5pujZVBMNaY-37CXtVqUp4PbiVpVIAjRFGUQPdj1u7LXoEzPuDUk9Cst5krK4xy7fn7iYtSAusD23Kznx9R0zuzKVkUgQ7Li1IM3XGDr3qn8XSvVm5r8Ertr64FTTj8TNBCs/s640/057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
| April |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh and I celebrated two years of marriage together. Life truly gets better with this man with each year. We laugh more. grow more, and love more. Beyond lucky.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgDE-Lr1uPGoLcYMR5cgQ3aBZkBmrA_IldIVEX4DngaLKkxUpzexjmrqBkp5vf1jO3mLCJeMRPzR4zPluByshHAMPYrpsIA6oqP4NCuY4lBkt0ASyWLq6GSzm4KYAvCvVYiW6nxjSkgs/s1600/IMG_9158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgDE-Lr1uPGoLcYMR5cgQ3aBZkBmrA_IldIVEX4DngaLKkxUpzexjmrqBkp5vf1jO3mLCJeMRPzR4zPluByshHAMPYrpsIA6oqP4NCuY4lBkt0ASyWLq6GSzm4KYAvCvVYiW6nxjSkgs/s640/IMG_9158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
| May |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<Gasp!> We left our little man for another weekend getaway. We went to Put in Bay (my first time) with these lovely folks for Memorial Day. It was such a fun time and the perfect amount of time to sleep in, have a few adult beverages, and relax.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUlpSwb-f5KmhtT_u1aBbl3dQ66apItj18jticmVNJmjcI_Iyw_JJTQCJFyuVeLw1ry_Q3F23Hme49qkVhjJ7ujzsp4SgD7I1U3MD3Svm9Pby24JC8JGS3HoLB8K278aJ_dCPJqcd7YM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUlpSwb-f5KmhtT_u1aBbl3dQ66apItj18jticmVNJmjcI_Iyw_JJTQCJFyuVeLw1ry_Q3F23Hme49qkVhjJ7ujzsp4SgD7I1U3MD3Svm9Pby24JC8JGS3HoLB8K278aJ_dCPJqcd7YM/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
|June|</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh celebrated Father's Day, we went to Country Jam (Horrifying experience), Levi was finally getting into the walking spirit. He was non stop running at this point. We had a wonderful, relaxing Summer together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G0hzBZAKoTFHMyK8NNMdJdgL2hZyJy-x4Ti-3wBVXujVqX3KdxF4Byi9r_YMZR17lJwhNeqL3FGBrihZ-Wy0IsS9KnIt6zhPMq_6Go-EH-DhQ2-hjPArna2ZDBAJSMX17_ZxlOE752k/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G0hzBZAKoTFHMyK8NNMdJdgL2hZyJy-x4Ti-3wBVXujVqX3KdxF4Byi9r_YMZR17lJwhNeqL3FGBrihZ-Wy0IsS9KnIt6zhPMq_6Go-EH-DhQ2-hjPArna2ZDBAJSMX17_ZxlOE752k/s640/IMG_1433.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
|July|</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
July was a busy month. We celebrated the fireworks, and we also celebrated the life of my Grandpa by holding a Memorial. It was so beautiful to see family from all over come in to share stories about my Grandpa and truly let themselves slip into the memories. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR5WgFXvK8ipp6Rz0gyldnbbCsakojg2w9zqonezNdY_P5kvAuVwVUP66HlvWhi7v-vyxTxonld1i9UPLfBS_Za5PZ-cAcbCLJoV1BoXdngKmY3iuPPpqE5W2_TbhXcegVqH_e0BkhyU/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR5WgFXvK8ipp6Rz0gyldnbbCsakojg2w9zqonezNdY_P5kvAuVwVUP66HlvWhi7v-vyxTxonld1i9UPLfBS_Za5PZ-cAcbCLJoV1BoXdngKmY3iuPPpqE5W2_TbhXcegVqH_e0BkhyU/s640/IMG_3024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZe1GgI7lhmd0nB2pJa_pO1oldzaKD5ZfJU8evMwpXf8EIKm2Z404FFbmS6XDOjjuOGbceBitjeU8dqxA84q8Lv7yVOnpr6rahysV2cy_SgSgKl3GzqndoomAAfxQz7OfDgnGJvkNPmc/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZe1GgI7lhmd0nB2pJa_pO1oldzaKD5ZfJU8evMwpXf8EIKm2Z404FFbmS6XDOjjuOGbceBitjeU8dqxA84q8Lv7yVOnpr6rahysV2cy_SgSgKl3GzqndoomAAfxQz7OfDgnGJvkNPmc/s640/IMG_3924.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
|August|</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Celebrated my sister Holly's 26th Birthday in Hocking Hills for a weekend of camping. It was another perfect getaway. It wasn't too hot at all for August and it was refreshing being in nature. Nothing but good laughs by a campfire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S4aRjgyJRJ2LVpjj5j9DSk1QXgxdJY8KPnCIiYRqfKTUtTGRx6ZOULaTsKbVzQ6FlvSUbIoIfy_5WAfHEOWuWgr0-JK-xwvy9V-UXF-_4YzyueIEe894-1kuCPwagFsRe2JpiMvkk9k/s1600/IMG_4630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S4aRjgyJRJ2LVpjj5j9DSk1QXgxdJY8KPnCIiYRqfKTUtTGRx6ZOULaTsKbVzQ6FlvSUbIoIfy_5WAfHEOWuWgr0-JK-xwvy9V-UXF-_4YzyueIEe894-1kuCPwagFsRe2JpiMvkk9k/s640/IMG_4630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
|September|</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh celebrated his 32nd Birthday! We dove into Fall Season with bonfires, football and lots of trips to the park together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFQo_Le0UKRHW65yG9yOQuH3vhRnYYnuVrXPd-DlMHrk2kUvXeCCvm7mTVxmVecJgqofSxv-ZmUFUVjv5oqOaT9RoZrTXuc3BUtfO0CuyThG-r3AaonH-IqSEMjYG2bcRW0XbbTvMfco/s1600/L1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFQo_Le0UKRHW65yG9yOQuH3vhRnYYnuVrXPd-DlMHrk2kUvXeCCvm7mTVxmVecJgqofSxv-ZmUFUVjv5oqOaT9RoZrTXuc3BUtfO0CuyThG-r3AaonH-IqSEMjYG2bcRW0XbbTvMfco/s640/L1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
|October|</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I celebrated a birthday! The big 2-5! Levi also celebrated his Second Birthday, and developed an obsession with Elmo. He was Elmo for Halloween, and still wants to sleep with his costume at night. We had a lovely "By the Campfire" birthday party theme for him which kind of got rained out, but whatever, he still partied and enjoyed it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbJGLyz_JqRdCBal1wmB7aBj3YIKQG-I0JzbuY0p8AFsLq3ethIHRccjwB97mI29aD4fc8RmAGVKUtBLfI4BtQtTdeEFeKAsJUNAFAmBB_9XoOpV78inmiwt-U7mF7HPlSX81NLozsvI/s1600/2013-10-293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbJGLyz_JqRdCBal1wmB7aBj3YIKQG-I0JzbuY0p8AFsLq3ethIHRccjwB97mI29aD4fc8RmAGVKUtBLfI4BtQtTdeEFeKAsJUNAFAmBB_9XoOpV78inmiwt-U7mF7HPlSX81NLozsvI/s640/2013-10-293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAbbfpXgLdo6IjE2b5Rv1mb2bRWiD_8hjVQNh9ZYfcHE7YXwZsK_YbBut-_40C4pCcQjGa-CGEz0OdBSkSGwplQ_LTNsMFY4alHtWEbPIUd2Tm1xSsjA6l4S06wYTamTmdWkzPywg7Zk/s1600/Levi-148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAbbfpXgLdo6IjE2b5Rv1mb2bRWiD_8hjVQNh9ZYfcHE7YXwZsK_YbBut-_40C4pCcQjGa-CGEz0OdBSkSGwplQ_LTNsMFY4alHtWEbPIUd2Tm1xSsjA6l4S06wYTamTmdWkzPywg7Zk/s640/Levi-148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Please excuse the lack of pictures for November and December. I have yet to upload them all from my camera! <bad mommy><br />
Here is some more of our year as a family:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| We began and ended our journey with Help Me Grow. Levi picked up walking at the end of Spring and attended school in the Fall. A month into school we were told Levi no longer needed services, and was right where he needed to be. So his case was officially closed. |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| I finished another year of school, and will officially graduate next Spring, lord willing. |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| Josh made a big decision and joined the Police Academy in September, which many people do not know yet. He will graduate in February. He has been attending school 30 hours a week Mon-Fri and working 40 hours a week Thurs-Sunday. So when I am down a lot about being alone, this is the reason. He has proven himself to be such a hard worker, he is so driven, and this is the most attractive quality a man can have in my opinion. He really cares about his happiness and the future of our family. I am beyond proud of him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| Levi has had many firsts this year. His vocabulary has jumped leaps and bounds since the Summer. He is still in the two word phrases of his speech but trying hard to form longer phrases. He knows almost his whole alphabet and points out letters while we are at the grocery store, during a car ride, in a book, on a food carton. Anything. He is so so smart. We are working on counting and colors right now. As of now, everything is blue and most numbers are two and ten. ;) He loves to make big piles of all his stuffed animals and jump on them. He loves to read. He loves being outside and roaming. He does not like to be contained. He loves to color and take baths. He also likes to play with his Sissy whenever she is here. -And he is starting to use those vocal chords. Ha. All in all he has been perfectly healthy all year, has all his teeth, can undress himself, say a million words it seems, use his utensils, ask for help, and he loves, loves to learn. |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| I learned how to shoot manual with my camera. I even made a Facebook Page to get clients and practice on people. I have a passion for Photography and it has been quite the journey learning all that I have since this Summer. I haven't picked up my camera in a while to do photos for anyone. But I plan on it soon! |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
| 2013 was a blessed year for our family. We celebrated holidays, we made memories, we laughed, we cried and we dreamed. Our goals for 2014 are: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Attend Church more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Levi to have more play dates and socialize</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Josh to get a job doing what he loves (fingers crossed, could be soon)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Me to stay focused in school and keep pushing through</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Continue to live a healthy lifestyle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Go on walks as a family more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Turn off the phones and TV and do things out of the box more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Tell each other we love one another every chance we get</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Make memories that will last a lifetime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Be creative</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Make Mommy and Daddy alone time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Surround ourselves with only those who truly care and forget the rest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Help out strangers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- FINISH LEVI'S BABY BOOK ;) |</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can only hope the Lord will bless us as we venture into another year as a family. I do not know for sure what this year holds, but I do know that I am blessed and fortunate to have the two best boys by my side through it all. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-30593970728416203992013-10-30T13:29:00.001-04:002013-10-30T13:29:44.659-04:00ELMO!Levi has been freaking over Elmo lately.<br />
He was introduced to Elmo through his Sesame Street books, then at school when he claimed the classroom's stuffed Elmo. (Really, he carries it around the whole time he is there.) I thought since he's been TV free for almost 2 years for the most part, I would go to the library and pick up some Sesame Street DVDs, and I was shocked! He was just non stop smiling. Now I get why kids love Elmo. SO- what better Halloween Costume to be than your idol? :)<br />
<br />
Levi insisted on taking his costume to the park, and to bed, and to eat. So this is what our trip to the park turned into. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoATk4dqzrtqPSqAPfNg4i9lH3Wb2u7bGrmlY_SM0eu-_N0ENhVKlMFHjenkSAYo1nfEEWwx4gqzfDfv067B_4dVyCvMjIFWagP9o5MnMaG_H-BVhM0nYsF-7fugpX3jh8Vuz67tHwe7I/s1600/IMG_8829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoATk4dqzrtqPSqAPfNg4i9lH3Wb2u7bGrmlY_SM0eu-_N0ENhVKlMFHjenkSAYo1nfEEWwx4gqzfDfv067B_4dVyCvMjIFWagP9o5MnMaG_H-BVhM0nYsF-7fugpX3jh8Vuz67tHwe7I/s640/IMG_8829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcoGyjYgXzO4EBvZmPFeFyCJKbBSO6vtRhWl6snayLjdVNAhIsQtxwtQ1ILdQ-6O9dC2v1o4dnRlkDDaGf3A2kAiHgJypiZC_sYAxI5NZamc4haIVJHc2WjHpYW9DCA7rHreUwkRB7dc/s1600/IMG_8821-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcoGyjYgXzO4EBvZmPFeFyCJKbBSO6vtRhWl6snayLjdVNAhIsQtxwtQ1ILdQ-6O9dC2v1o4dnRlkDDaGf3A2kAiHgJypiZC_sYAxI5NZamc4haIVJHc2WjHpYW9DCA7rHreUwkRB7dc/s640/IMG_8821-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA-bZ9mIbHDb2PFTnUg2kdv0mJUGWNMtDc2lHCkxfHoU4HxCATmd8vyaaP-Gnh_lDYd7rCHkgrND8M8tXHO0eCPVkWP9CD01la7n9wqOB_xWAZ8P3JlI8tJgfRIZVoRY7f3q60-Amjk0/s1600/IMG_8836-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA-bZ9mIbHDb2PFTnUg2kdv0mJUGWNMtDc2lHCkxfHoU4HxCATmd8vyaaP-Gnh_lDYd7rCHkgrND8M8tXHO0eCPVkWP9CD01la7n9wqOB_xWAZ8P3JlI8tJgfRIZVoRY7f3q60-Amjk0/s640/IMG_8836-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek9YNkN-p7hrx9ti7rxXPgqOBD6mFhKPyD5p0VM_jtkCbfs8Uoz8dbgEzFgK6cV_L9lpe-j0H-8koWY969QuvSLqtVcCb_MQrHrRxcTQwu4e46mhD7Wz8OH2o3D2dS-oBC1vxOOiuUSA/s1600/IMG_8853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek9YNkN-p7hrx9ti7rxXPgqOBD6mFhKPyD5p0VM_jtkCbfs8Uoz8dbgEzFgK6cV_L9lpe-j0H-8koWY969QuvSLqtVcCb_MQrHrRxcTQwu4e46mhD7Wz8OH2o3D2dS-oBC1vxOOiuUSA/s640/IMG_8853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCt46uEw7pJGTkUCooFIMtQfyAN1HKnsQXskjipFoeE5a2p9Gn_Xwj1BFkqYA3LyZU4rC6pRCDfwT_Af-LuqX65MULCdVhCX7h8_dPJmjTujjzHJlXXTSHofxz_FZDMVh9sI3KnSdHSM/s1600/IMG_8896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCt46uEw7pJGTkUCooFIMtQfyAN1HKnsQXskjipFoeE5a2p9Gn_Xwj1BFkqYA3LyZU4rC6pRCDfwT_Af-LuqX65MULCdVhCX7h8_dPJmjTujjzHJlXXTSHofxz_FZDMVh9sI3KnSdHSM/s640/IMG_8896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEP-SeMimG8Jx9-BuP9_wwfcDqizdNjHzYGONOvOwUy7w4IxGRJNCxQJjBcqImPZiGBYqhlChxx63wF_16jwKFyjRneNlPqDI6pLbs1dl-xlEdRXuM3Ku8o2GOzz4pFcnVUWMG4Veg5U/s1600/IMG_8910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEP-SeMimG8Jx9-BuP9_wwfcDqizdNjHzYGONOvOwUy7w4IxGRJNCxQJjBcqImPZiGBYqhlChxx63wF_16jwKFyjRneNlPqDI6pLbs1dl-xlEdRXuM3Ku8o2GOzz4pFcnVUWMG4Veg5U/s640/IMG_8910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-3d6ZkCFnFrN518gZ0W2kM1JnPl0Xds8XysqGB4Exqgko8WPaS1cO0AuxyXC0Pi7ShLzGMyUfMaYdEfprZVhbqokvNgPkmA7TiOHl3oy3W9YwBpqPYeOIaXJaqEsxX82DfsZ5-LiQSc/s1600/IMG_8914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-3d6ZkCFnFrN518gZ0W2kM1JnPl0Xds8XysqGB4Exqgko8WPaS1cO0AuxyXC0Pi7ShLzGMyUfMaYdEfprZVhbqokvNgPkmA7TiOHl3oy3W9YwBpqPYeOIaXJaqEsxX82DfsZ5-LiQSc/s640/IMG_8914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qBk7BdkHofTQSGv4O4Ab-I4ZNGM6Kq8eD382qhEfB15riGtnrT5L4HIXBSFBXFr59dZzfWIQfDjjlZKmmujZWLbs7QwqrMtHqYVmfGVAbuCXKJz48JAXTWgj9UVINoCbr4A8ZQ9Xzwk/s1600/IMG_8921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qBk7BdkHofTQSGv4O4Ab-I4ZNGM6Kq8eD382qhEfB15riGtnrT5L4HIXBSFBXFr59dZzfWIQfDjjlZKmmujZWLbs7QwqrMtHqYVmfGVAbuCXKJz48JAXTWgj9UVINoCbr4A8ZQ9Xzwk/s640/IMG_8921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyM_1JCx-XB512Ts0wI26zSKGIvWsAbdPn3ECL5G_L3t1y8gPkwbQSVv9GKXxcLZ4t-SPaH-VPMQXWiH5Tlf3Ki01hBzocq-YAdajeHKv2VIPD-PZt1v_uGPiK61cxth07hUVhj70vFM/s1600/IMG_8922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyM_1JCx-XB512Ts0wI26zSKGIvWsAbdPn3ECL5G_L3t1y8gPkwbQSVv9GKXxcLZ4t-SPaH-VPMQXWiH5Tlf3Ki01hBzocq-YAdajeHKv2VIPD-PZt1v_uGPiK61cxth07hUVhj70vFM/s640/IMG_8922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQoov4csTTxnN2LH4ufVnbDP-qLOX_vMWlaMDJAYIFIQZvFKo5t-du5fdxEn5IhfSlP-JXP7ONiZ2iN61a6Ldmxn4v11Iwy5z5sYAcAzO9TfhP7hpnOOyJEXSQzUhMjSOmm_Iju7XlDU/s1600/IMG_8925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQoov4csTTxnN2LH4ufVnbDP-qLOX_vMWlaMDJAYIFIQZvFKo5t-du5fdxEn5IhfSlP-JXP7ONiZ2iN61a6Ldmxn4v11Iwy5z5sYAcAzO9TfhP7hpnOOyJEXSQzUhMjSOmm_Iju7XlDU/s640/IMG_8925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOsRy9d3m2lu-z9n9ir5luESr62IXPHdGFvW5EdnXbG0E4QGFbINTUlzRqPTEi5yMz5eP_o3Z9pRxBNdq4-kdlvR9A31LbT6YMjukjwsTNS-b47eg1DlidjbpSavbbWmADz2MOqismmI/s1600/IMG_8950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOsRy9d3m2lu-z9n9ir5luESr62IXPHdGFvW5EdnXbG0E4QGFbINTUlzRqPTEi5yMz5eP_o3Z9pRxBNdq4-kdlvR9A31LbT6YMjukjwsTNS-b47eg1DlidjbpSavbbWmADz2MOqismmI/s640/IMG_8950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-xXaMMa1aw3cYb90nbtopTukMislFOzY8c4jj0W616esy-ej_NLXSxJoC_ZONSyGJkafULArWQzZHd623Jah7brWKLeS9iMbngl828hN5zovIT2vS1ObXTUqCe0jRTnBctgaNkNy-_I/s1600/IMG_8999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-xXaMMa1aw3cYb90nbtopTukMislFOzY8c4jj0W616esy-ej_NLXSxJoC_ZONSyGJkafULArWQzZHd623Jah7brWKLeS9iMbngl828hN5zovIT2vS1ObXTUqCe0jRTnBctgaNkNy-_I/s640/IMG_8999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr3DGyx7fqKM92F8cByYG3hVO-h7YFSk8Z4g9DDdsLU08T9NBChqXr52le4u0mM9MQq3QO7DYvPzPcujgm76BITNngmLiJYRJPyUf5K2RDlLJcqpPeM_gNhepFEZOBb9vWuYtcOG92qE/s1600/2013-10-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr3DGyx7fqKM92F8cByYG3hVO-h7YFSk8Z4g9DDdsLU08T9NBChqXr52le4u0mM9MQq3QO7DYvPzPcujgm76BITNngmLiJYRJPyUf5K2RDlLJcqpPeM_gNhepFEZOBb9vWuYtcOG92qE/s640/2013-10-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4nuuoVnFu8KRNW1R1FYDQRety9H6-9iYC5kgScWE_OFXE8LqGogPoI1iaFG-zzh7x00VTu5xsK7lrL4oebkpgb3gcGA-NI-8PDwgzajOl5n7TwuSPWx9TnN3AUEjpZ5UhsZ2SXlfVb8/s1600/2013-10-291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4nuuoVnFu8KRNW1R1FYDQRety9H6-9iYC5kgScWE_OFXE8LqGogPoI1iaFG-zzh7x00VTu5xsK7lrL4oebkpgb3gcGA-NI-8PDwgzajOl5n7TwuSPWx9TnN3AUEjpZ5UhsZ2SXlfVb8/s640/2013-10-291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeIcgc36N4EKralv_HgqDcdYze6bmh9jMXfMhZL7OK_7YYXQ9Mbv5f37bKQgdUAqIRGDo8pRTwofg2Mbq6LNTU2KxeQ07FnujcJM_GX5UfZYiaLhmlj_vvb3xbRz77_WQ2QehGrcdoT4/s1600/2013-10-292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeIcgc36N4EKralv_HgqDcdYze6bmh9jMXfMhZL7OK_7YYXQ9Mbv5f37bKQgdUAqIRGDo8pRTwofg2Mbq6LNTU2KxeQ07FnujcJM_GX5UfZYiaLhmlj_vvb3xbRz77_WQ2QehGrcdoT4/s640/2013-10-292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTZ5ijV94LRLLjXCjkgOkSzGNhCWn_b8iMVuxQcLgqwyikdghl3Ak2898ZoLY40H27TsaQ4FW87jcXpEgGF6747GRniL3Z_Ufs8ys0CFfnVhbIIw_jYxICgSC_vddPtHVF-QxDoZJRZs/s1600/2013-10-293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTZ5ijV94LRLLjXCjkgOkSzGNhCWn_b8iMVuxQcLgqwyikdghl3Ak2898ZoLY40H27TsaQ4FW87jcXpEgGF6747GRniL3Z_Ufs8ys0CFfnVhbIIw_jYxICgSC_vddPtHVF-QxDoZJRZs/s640/2013-10-293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Halloween!hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-41643105865053487162013-10-13T13:06:00.001-04:002013-10-13T13:06:28.964-04:00What matters are the memories made in our home, on the walls up the stairs, in the coloring books and inside our favorite stories.I find myself re-writing the same thing in my journal-Over a span of 2 years to be exact.<br />
<br />
The same fears, the same frustrations, the same questions.<br />
<br />
I lack confidence as a young, first time Mom.<br />
<br />
Its hard to believe in yourself as a Mom when you see other Moms and kids surpassing you-doing things bigger and better.<br />
<br />
The moment I found out I was expecting, in my mind, I immediately became a <i>Mom</i>. I was dreaming of the family camping trips, the baking cookies together, and Christmas mornings, and was getting so excited about new traditions we could make-and old traditions that would live on.<br />
<br />
I vowed to never be t<i>hat mom</i>. The one who is way over the top. The one who has to make a memory out of everything. Has to always have the camera out. Has to be the Super Mom, does everything perfect- from the perfect cookies to the perfect Birthday Parties. Even with Levi growing inside me, I did not want to be that Mom obsessing over being <i>perfect</i>. And making every moment in her kid's life seem <i>perfect. </i>I just wanted to be Me, because I knew that was good enough. And I knew If I was myself, I would be a great Mama to Levi.<br />
<br />
But over the past few years, I have let go of my confidence as a Mom, and slowly slipped into a state where sometimes-I don't quite believe that I am such a great mom. I think we all go through this. We all wonder if we are making the best decisions for our kids, giving them the best experiences...Social Media definitely has a role in this. How many blogs do you see about Moms who make all their own soap, all their own food from scratch. Or Moms who spend tons of money on decorating the perfect nursery, or baby items. Or Moms who do everything <i>perfect!? </i> Its hard. Its frustrating. I am constantly reminding myself that I don't have the money or the time to try to be like these other Moms I see out there on the Web.<br />
<br />
But really I need to remind myself that those things DON'T matter. It really doesn't. It may matter to that Mom and her family, but it should have no effect on me. What matters to me are the memories made and kept inside our home, inside the pages of a scrapbook, inside the baby book. On the walls up the stairs, in the coloring books and inside our favorite stories.<br />
<br />
Mommies out there in suburbs, small towns and even on the web should not have to feel less than wonderful when they see others who made it to Church that morning, or who have a big home that is always clean, or whose child has not yet carved a pumpkin this season.<br />
<br />
We need to be confident in our own abilities as Moms, in our own strengths, and in our own reality and build other Moms up.<br />
<br />
This is truth-<br />
<br />
Levi is still in his Pajamas at Noon. He sometimes is allowed to throw his food on the floor and eat it. He doesn't always listen. I have to put him in his room and shut the door to take a breather. I don't have the patience some days. I don't always have a family outing planned. I don't always feel like reading "The Three Little Pigs" a hundred times, or putting legos together. I don't have all the answers. I make mistakes, I know I'm not doing everything right. And I certainly don't always have people telling me I'm a good Mom. I am always winging things. Going with my gut even if its not the conventional way of doing things. I have people question me, and judge me as a Mom.<br />
<br />
But on days like today: When Levi wakes up and calls out "Mommy, Mommy" with his stuffy, runny nose-My heart is warmed by the realization that I am the first person he wants to see in the morning. When he helps me make breakfast and holds onto my sweatpants the whole time, I am the one he choose to be closest to. When he wants to sit on my lap and dip his finger in my coffee, I am the one he chooses to spend his day with. When he crashes his tower of blocks and runs up to me and says, "Cwash"! I am the one he wants to share play time with. And when he comes up to me with a book and a blanket and keeps saying, "Agin, Agin", I am the one he chooses to learn and read with. At the end of the night, when I lay down with him, he chooses to grip onto the top of my shirt, and hum along with me, because I calm him.<br />
<br />
I teach him. I read to him. I crash towers with him. I cook with him. I drink coffee with him. I put him to sleep most night. I calm him. And he knows this. He trusts me, and he loves me. That's what makes me a good mom. I am the mom I always knew I was when Levi was the size of a little pea.<br />
<br />
This little boy thinks the world of me. Even with crumbs on the floor and a heaping basket of unfolded laundry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HWqD5Rdm3Rkk58DWfzYUEzbrvWlzpl2ZMuw5e2gpD9Q312JhDlIAEMhyphenhyphenG-PBv5YfN3GG1acCSxCt8kG5l-F2a0bykFZpGPw9X04Q5yei3Lg9t2MLBj1jzFhsq9g9PKPvYzy9FVGAq1M/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HWqD5Rdm3Rkk58DWfzYUEzbrvWlzpl2ZMuw5e2gpD9Q312JhDlIAEMhyphenhyphenG-PBv5YfN3GG1acCSxCt8kG5l-F2a0bykFZpGPw9X04Q5yei3Lg9t2MLBj1jzFhsq9g9PKPvYzy9FVGAq1M/s640/IMG_2602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And to me, that's all that matters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-86631944380079403522013-10-10T13:07:00.000-04:002013-10-10T13:07:18.267-04:00My life Currently-Involves trying to soak up these Fall days as much as possible, because we all know Winter is about to creep in and make us all depressed, refusing to change out of hoodies and sweatpants. For real though, I always look like a hot mess in the wintertime. But I WILL make an effort to stay in shape throughout this dreadful season, so I don't lose it when it gets warmer and realize I've gained some weight.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to get Levi to experience playing in the leaves, bonfires, pumpkin painting, hayrides, all of that before we are cooped up inside for months. He was a little too young later year to really experience activities like that.<br />
<br />
I am trying to stay on top of school. Its definitely a lot harder with a toddler than it was with an infant. I thought it would be the opposite, but not at all. He is always wanting FULL ON attention from me, and if I can't give it to him he throws his food on the floor, throws his toys, and will just lay on the floor until I scoop him up. So that's fun. Mom-0 Levi-25<br />
<br />
Levi is doing really well in school, considering I sneak out when I drop him off, otherwise he starts balling as if he'll never see me again. It breaks my heart, but with how much he has picked up in his short weeks being there, I know its great for him.<br />
<br />
I also decided to name my actual Photography Business, get a logo made, and make a page on Facebook- so people can find me easily and take a look at my photos. This is just a start. I'll be working on more as my portfolio builds!<br />
<img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1380698_584162151619581_1609409696_n.png" width="544" /><br />
<br />
So if you haven't, go "like" my page and spread the word for available sessions, incentives and more!<br />
<br />
That's what my life consists of currently... Pray this beautiful weather sticks around.<br />
XOXO<br />
<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-23690601790110521722013-10-06T16:16:00.000-04:002013-10-06T16:16:44.835-04:00My baby turns 2 in 2 days.Yesterday we had Levi's 2nd Birthday Party. I took so much time and unfortunately money, to plan this thing. And honestly next year, I think I may just let him run around naked in the mud and call it a day! Ha. The Mommy in me who has to plan, create, capture and have everything just right says no to this idea though.<br />
<br />
After spending lots of time creating banners, favors, cooking, (or lack there of, thanks to my Mom and MIL for cooking the main courses) but still, I was ready for this thing to start!<br />
<br />
Of course, just like any other big day in our lives, the rain decided to make its way to our backyard. After having everything set up and guests beginning to arrive, we were hit with a downpour which involved everyone scurrying inside the house. While I pouted in the shed, waiting for the rain to pass, I said forget it to the whole "By the Campfire" theme, and let Levi run around in a diaper and get muddy. The vision of everyone sipping hot cocoa in their bulky sweaters, and roasting marshmallows by the fire was ruined. Ohio decided to have an 86 degree day and rain out of nowhere. But I did get some shots of the decor, and of the fun Levi and his buddies had throughout his day! My Mom took some photos of the presents being opened and the cake being eaten, so thanks Mom!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw69VQeMwGd6g4hecG_jyAiq1q5skcXymbwOTwZ2TgiuoId5ZuOgJRXO-zuCrnGe9YI25tBgo3t4l2nxx-ULOP_M54sRGRMAMuaecQ1eHjI69lxr8WlAT8IxjBdtCJLAGozYARwAojBM/s1600/Levi-98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw69VQeMwGd6g4hecG_jyAiq1q5skcXymbwOTwZ2TgiuoId5ZuOgJRXO-zuCrnGe9YI25tBgo3t4l2nxx-ULOP_M54sRGRMAMuaecQ1eHjI69lxr8WlAT8IxjBdtCJLAGozYARwAojBM/s640/Levi-98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIp_-_R0gJ8tZFNb9FUXWoEDeSgdL7sNHL6q_m2naG7YgYpZ47Y2YN6u0VBRJRiiH1CzP1tjRzTNZjlHUb0c85C3nQ1nr65CPAju9AZE1EH3bQzPAP3vPiL8Da66tGN9RJg-M2zhuvSM/s1600/Levi-100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIp_-_R0gJ8tZFNb9FUXWoEDeSgdL7sNHL6q_m2naG7YgYpZ47Y2YN6u0VBRJRiiH1CzP1tjRzTNZjlHUb0c85C3nQ1nr65CPAju9AZE1EH3bQzPAP3vPiL8Da66tGN9RJg-M2zhuvSM/s640/Levi-100.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-iqIwcK72UgsjH-s-dAwnINzZLq2PFYAtfQZXnJ98c_HPvXGJXysZ40cPZBTScoYlU5Ppq0g1ABYP63yO7TwigOtgr40SmU0S9_iEtctryTmXYhALMwo-f51g2XxickumAetFhlm7Q/s1600/Levi-101+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-iqIwcK72UgsjH-s-dAwnINzZLq2PFYAtfQZXnJ98c_HPvXGJXysZ40cPZBTScoYlU5Ppq0g1ABYP63yO7TwigOtgr40SmU0S9_iEtctryTmXYhALMwo-f51g2XxickumAetFhlm7Q/s640/Levi-101+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2xP_b8a2uAYl0vxV7dHKzk6YpAm7dmP_ch3JFCiSZOAvRhCaFO9Rbp2EVLUnodZTRA8zYCib9zWKvLpmetRrshNXBCzmIOMBTmcnFVe0zyMu1Rd2_Q_p_4Z_7hBPgK89wxR3RpDUo0I/s1600/Levi-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2xP_b8a2uAYl0vxV7dHKzk6YpAm7dmP_ch3JFCiSZOAvRhCaFO9Rbp2EVLUnodZTRA8zYCib9zWKvLpmetRrshNXBCzmIOMBTmcnFVe0zyMu1Rd2_Q_p_4Z_7hBPgK89wxR3RpDUo0I/s640/Levi-102.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCbXagrkVLSYP3p9jGgxfpmWWlQvUglXrzbSeThGtcRSeONnT-f_tz-7RpyarWUIQLwdfmkyNlF81FxDrLkdh76JTQRoz6INkFsrwKT8paFgVuEiEJVl9psVh-M0nCroCLPuhMqMlXEU/s1600/Levi-103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCbXagrkVLSYP3p9jGgxfpmWWlQvUglXrzbSeThGtcRSeONnT-f_tz-7RpyarWUIQLwdfmkyNlF81FxDrLkdh76JTQRoz6INkFsrwKT8paFgVuEiEJVl9psVh-M0nCroCLPuhMqMlXEU/s640/Levi-103.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXail87njDepgSpPtRbLrqC7zsWiRydcBoEync2ze3vr4UNMUKhl3p-BTHMeOUK8_3qExWcq7DYZsx8XqRqchlYKX58Inul0EieiQ2F996q8Djf5H8jvldWF-sXIHTrmhXWjnCtYrMuWc/s1600/Levi-104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXail87njDepgSpPtRbLrqC7zsWiRydcBoEync2ze3vr4UNMUKhl3p-BTHMeOUK8_3qExWcq7DYZsx8XqRqchlYKX58Inul0EieiQ2F996q8Djf5H8jvldWF-sXIHTrmhXWjnCtYrMuWc/s640/Levi-104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPum-CaQX8ZR81HcB9oglU5ZbpJ1A_ox3gMBIptDi-_BD9qgtGS-Crj_GA301_QHPUmUz3MJHKR3dK7iib-HnoFEw3PVoCC7Seqm8qb5c33pwZ9nSuXoYeXHXbosH2dwJ7T8H5cnsHFQ/s1600/Levi-106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPum-CaQX8ZR81HcB9oglU5ZbpJ1A_ox3gMBIptDi-_BD9qgtGS-Crj_GA301_QHPUmUz3MJHKR3dK7iib-HnoFEw3PVoCC7Seqm8qb5c33pwZ9nSuXoYeXHXbosH2dwJ7T8H5cnsHFQ/s640/Levi-106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ_KnJ82FcQArd1y_mnExGEYn4VoXUB0f7bczGEdyR87JZexnsW_sIEoIghBSCLXdNRvIj_9wug6ARgCiZGX3A-mTQcBWmxnDD6fQPP0QrBB1b0lWsDCPCR8TFXu05v-GHTQWUXwrAc0/s1600/Levi-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ_KnJ82FcQArd1y_mnExGEYn4VoXUB0f7bczGEdyR87JZexnsW_sIEoIghBSCLXdNRvIj_9wug6ARgCiZGX3A-mTQcBWmxnDD6fQPP0QrBB1b0lWsDCPCR8TFXu05v-GHTQWUXwrAc0/s640/Levi-107.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSFjTYrtieiEYGDHBc0fz7p2TC7MxUc7S4ESonL7XIKGy-leOmFIm-_adh7vv5UUCfwqXmCMDl6dCPydTRewrWfOItlE4raZZ2ITRgpSn61TeITeQ2rxfGtaKPnsTwd9jY1hgwELtMtQ/s1600/Levi-109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSFjTYrtieiEYGDHBc0fz7p2TC7MxUc7S4ESonL7XIKGy-leOmFIm-_adh7vv5UUCfwqXmCMDl6dCPydTRewrWfOItlE4raZZ2ITRgpSn61TeITeQ2rxfGtaKPnsTwd9jY1hgwELtMtQ/s640/Levi-109.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfU5YT3XvoobbP5ejixssGZkgbSFq7YMETvHsnOTJuW9ApH6gDVnTbChnpmZQxqpEX9zFPy5B2siNRPOrYhrb9j8Vr8UMqgc07C4ZzDa6R2-cGk1d2fnQh_UTaPIFyYoohAfc4wDNI3I/s1600/Levi-114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfU5YT3XvoobbP5ejixssGZkgbSFq7YMETvHsnOTJuW9ApH6gDVnTbChnpmZQxqpEX9zFPy5B2siNRPOrYhrb9j8Vr8UMqgc07C4ZzDa6R2-cGk1d2fnQh_UTaPIFyYoohAfc4wDNI3I/s640/Levi-114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgu6cwV4sXbrEKzTQMlDP1Pyn6MuvUVHK3lHaWWKwHicbQgle1modGJimz2uZIplNq14cNCztXQNhq5PKrN_FL9RDfA8je4oJfllEY7KdEISHeC05KrKMsdnqGm37yxeGCgT6BPare5E/s1600/Levi-115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgu6cwV4sXbrEKzTQMlDP1Pyn6MuvUVHK3lHaWWKwHicbQgle1modGJimz2uZIplNq14cNCztXQNhq5PKrN_FL9RDfA8je4oJfllEY7KdEISHeC05KrKMsdnqGm37yxeGCgT6BPare5E/s640/Levi-115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwLOWk_6rCZqBT_qU1c-RbgajagSYj9QhU1Y2f5fO2iZ5sbKaoRLllqhuKj69M7gfoh0vo4Ias8em4l7UZNy-nq7e800jWlDppUpdlCPP3oYLPDTMulXUTmabIJZ4rj_rsOZq0hT1iBo/s1600/Levi-116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwLOWk_6rCZqBT_qU1c-RbgajagSYj9QhU1Y2f5fO2iZ5sbKaoRLllqhuKj69M7gfoh0vo4Ias8em4l7UZNy-nq7e800jWlDppUpdlCPP3oYLPDTMulXUTmabIJZ4rj_rsOZq0hT1iBo/s640/Levi-116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJQRUfysGfzxzp1av7GHNL74a7ejVAllk3H8pXf-9wRlh-5Yc-hX07ApXe7vbhGgptGDBoNkUGxstoxKEDp1krXsueOnRZZ3w91xIhmxdtrqye2EFAKrAOZzxFIddbV_LxfXCNroOuGg/s1600/Levi-120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJQRUfysGfzxzp1av7GHNL74a7ejVAllk3H8pXf-9wRlh-5Yc-hX07ApXe7vbhGgptGDBoNkUGxstoxKEDp1krXsueOnRZZ3w91xIhmxdtrqye2EFAKrAOZzxFIddbV_LxfXCNroOuGg/s640/Levi-120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFM3scmvx2RlaIaf-qwKwIQlIMDWnC6IPxwNIAm9i_BKQWATxVG7hdZaUAwHkY2kKd4Bw-RQCLhsJJssEJFjRgH5oCeGUD9-1qT5Uey5u1Eab2l3H6_uS5MxMb9mjKUJL-vWGXF0xxSY/s1600/Levi-124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFM3scmvx2RlaIaf-qwKwIQlIMDWnC6IPxwNIAm9i_BKQWATxVG7hdZaUAwHkY2kKd4Bw-RQCLhsJJssEJFjRgH5oCeGUD9-1qT5Uey5u1Eab2l3H6_uS5MxMb9mjKUJL-vWGXF0xxSY/s640/Levi-124.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmG-fUBrzYP0RFJu9hhe6cs-PlLCMuFX5aeeUZbQ0wHi01S-ohZuStuQBAvcKeRpNaoNjyxJ8kvVOKN54v2kpeJsWi5OvJ6p7Q-w8DD9T0zpgArjHVlKmTY4NNd_8Y_SryVVuNGCIG2I/s1600/Levi-127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmG-fUBrzYP0RFJu9hhe6cs-PlLCMuFX5aeeUZbQ0wHi01S-ohZuStuQBAvcKeRpNaoNjyxJ8kvVOKN54v2kpeJsWi5OvJ6p7Q-w8DD9T0zpgArjHVlKmTY4NNd_8Y_SryVVuNGCIG2I/s640/Levi-127.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78HZfO0bKNFit-1BbUG6mk_ppe0acL4e4CV3WtQHFuxUDk_-Y8lTbRpHTZwN-9oXohcXwvb-_DM6_29EFS79jWo1Jcmr4fs0SUAkWMc8nBsHvYxDciWrIxWOoBKS7zCZSq8nFDk3KvSc/s1600/Levi-128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78HZfO0bKNFit-1BbUG6mk_ppe0acL4e4CV3WtQHFuxUDk_-Y8lTbRpHTZwN-9oXohcXwvb-_DM6_29EFS79jWo1Jcmr4fs0SUAkWMc8nBsHvYxDciWrIxWOoBKS7zCZSq8nFDk3KvSc/s640/Levi-128.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggejqJnZmHhzCId-dFgfiVr7jCQPy1OOsV3r8EvAfKYceQlFYuQW0OMHl6JBzNjCfm2yTxF2IMDNm92Zhb0oZCDvWOV_T9_69D0xlb_KVv8HY8f8DnYzYfJYYyNI2_6yos2P6QG9E6KG0/s1600/Levi-129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggejqJnZmHhzCId-dFgfiVr7jCQPy1OOsV3r8EvAfKYceQlFYuQW0OMHl6JBzNjCfm2yTxF2IMDNm92Zhb0oZCDvWOV_T9_69D0xlb_KVv8HY8f8DnYzYfJYYyNI2_6yos2P6QG9E6KG0/s640/Levi-129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nGoubbY1XN5OWBgGcdL94uL8bBVkjoN_Aep7MTdey0QJ41hXxtfaz6nLZ7MvtxGWdzC0Xt__YTh3HfJZKrrZ8nLsZfIolXImm7meg7n5e9NxtxiksBVRLYJgHGbcUDMRVa8Eiq4U2YM/s1600/Levi-132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nGoubbY1XN5OWBgGcdL94uL8bBVkjoN_Aep7MTdey0QJ41hXxtfaz6nLZ7MvtxGWdzC0Xt__YTh3HfJZKrrZ8nLsZfIolXImm7meg7n5e9NxtxiksBVRLYJgHGbcUDMRVa8Eiq4U2YM/s640/Levi-132.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiWlB8qSQo-cVGdIjqHUfvOdeNlayousImeaYlY2yWYxHIfUPTAT3qSJdqOTGS995yfky-SnoUso2faPgoaguy1pr_K-R11lqDLeQhNOMhyphenhyphenjn0ge6ug-TsUaZi-4IgewLIgh44kp1amg/s1600/Levi-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiWlB8qSQo-cVGdIjqHUfvOdeNlayousImeaYlY2yWYxHIfUPTAT3qSJdqOTGS995yfky-SnoUso2faPgoaguy1pr_K-R11lqDLeQhNOMhyphenhyphenjn0ge6ug-TsUaZi-4IgewLIgh44kp1amg/s640/Levi-134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvwX8XEVhkw3tVNWabKT4Pu54Ks87kFiHaEfBroJAFhXJF_N4T0R2STxnU95fMFQk5TrtFj8Zk-rIcSsJLw9xIWJbow-BmvPW21YEf_epx5X39xs-YWpCUGqTxiPgGmM2nyjPrLo0Qp0/s1600/Levi-135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvwX8XEVhkw3tVNWabKT4Pu54Ks87kFiHaEfBroJAFhXJF_N4T0R2STxnU95fMFQk5TrtFj8Zk-rIcSsJLw9xIWJbow-BmvPW21YEf_epx5X39xs-YWpCUGqTxiPgGmM2nyjPrLo0Qp0/s640/Levi-135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmjIE9hZwvKeRXDvKxEbyUmq6-bUldyY9prwMBpV3b44sQ1etbMwcAlqlJrSUAPE2tK6cFmDlrND4niZRL_un2Ozw219ykhxyTiTVjy8aPaymma8sCoAI3OHbxva4qI4-S_RZokhYXkw/s1600/Levi-138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmjIE9hZwvKeRXDvKxEbyUmq6-bUldyY9prwMBpV3b44sQ1etbMwcAlqlJrSUAPE2tK6cFmDlrND4niZRL_un2Ozw219ykhxyTiTVjy8aPaymma8sCoAI3OHbxva4qI4-S_RZokhYXkw/s640/Levi-138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSw3KhHb7xZjVSVMJC4Plshqt8t7xp8oaLHWHG37ROa-hDGfPqhN4xOXdlKzwhnMMitc10ESZpL0Xhq69qJjjuN1UG-3EXqxuEx-EWwWMgdGpxLCbAZLrqxAUKtQFentCCoVmoIr9BTg/s1600/Levi-139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSw3KhHb7xZjVSVMJC4Plshqt8t7xp8oaLHWHG37ROa-hDGfPqhN4xOXdlKzwhnMMitc10ESZpL0Xhq69qJjjuN1UG-3EXqxuEx-EWwWMgdGpxLCbAZLrqxAUKtQFentCCoVmoIr9BTg/s640/Levi-139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjveFe0XpinOfGk_VJlmt1KwgiNSDKFgAKzJgSLU2SvQ5ZBV0XaiCkZp4OHKWz4oEYB6nXJ1B5vHGaPep6fvVdZUG09zIoDAYT2awp221qIzSXJhOaaKg909JQ-tXPtgz4iKGbLXfotz4/s1600/Levi-140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjveFe0XpinOfGk_VJlmt1KwgiNSDKFgAKzJgSLU2SvQ5ZBV0XaiCkZp4OHKWz4oEYB6nXJ1B5vHGaPep6fvVdZUG09zIoDAYT2awp221qIzSXJhOaaKg909JQ-tXPtgz4iKGbLXfotz4/s640/Levi-140.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBfUiiJk-vxVmv_4ipfVa5P8mf2273csQ1v1YfNs2k0ax-LWsNOL5TeW7sluFDdgNt1hL8-t4Y7hA6ifHTw9ka6DDero3K-tn9aTjJdbEu5BwBn-xG9UTvuUg-AvcYJLmeUdC_2Rqu4g/s1600/Levi-141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBfUiiJk-vxVmv_4ipfVa5P8mf2273csQ1v1YfNs2k0ax-LWsNOL5TeW7sluFDdgNt1hL8-t4Y7hA6ifHTw9ka6DDero3K-tn9aTjJdbEu5BwBn-xG9UTvuUg-AvcYJLmeUdC_2Rqu4g/s640/Levi-141.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePgAVvgyGjFxJX7PSKN5uQQk-1iHiaIS5SvWfIKpc82H_bh95fYwiD21thuc3s4Kwv7bp1bG7962khihLA-SmA8Ja9S311NkqxEblTXoA9ZbM00wI4RffFNStw5U_SrtIWZhu-mejE_s/s1600/Levi-143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePgAVvgyGjFxJX7PSKN5uQQk-1iHiaIS5SvWfIKpc82H_bh95fYwiD21thuc3s4Kwv7bp1bG7962khihLA-SmA8Ja9S311NkqxEblTXoA9ZbM00wI4RffFNStw5U_SrtIWZhu-mejE_s/s640/Levi-143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ9b_y8riq0C_jQEe-7zhyphenhyphenK-Ggp3h38jgg0N7zOm9NLI1MLxZaz-qwrrMjE-PuolPiRwNajuW4gEkgKVgwg_fPKrLYjnXI3KQu7ZKOF0zb8lxmDv43T0KOYF9Xz7ftssnwjBEER0FVKI/s1600/Levi-145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ9b_y8riq0C_jQEe-7zhyphenhyphenK-Ggp3h38jgg0N7zOm9NLI1MLxZaz-qwrrMjE-PuolPiRwNajuW4gEkgKVgwg_fPKrLYjnXI3KQu7ZKOF0zb8lxmDv43T0KOYF9Xz7ftssnwjBEER0FVKI/s640/Levi-145.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIILfxeS4ov8pMoqqa9sCeWbcRWefFULFK__vxnDDexU65el89_sKLH-JEFULuQyd29KxXskXuuq85BgzDDKA4JdUhlw6EmNMlOXR2z3JvUb-562upxkbVpJx6EgwdK2Iw7NvrpnOl174/s1600/Levi-146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIILfxeS4ov8pMoqqa9sCeWbcRWefFULFK__vxnDDexU65el89_sKLH-JEFULuQyd29KxXskXuuq85BgzDDKA4JdUhlw6EmNMlOXR2z3JvUb-562upxkbVpJx6EgwdK2Iw7NvrpnOl174/s640/Levi-146.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl66iWVd8PiraqUIZV26MPDJWRVooaUPEJybiZ5m0IakpgBmmo0qxorBCW1aHvanP0iQ01C-AX690Qx9_yArNOg4mxRTaBDp7rjp-82zthwAwr8uVJhoZHxSQgtERK9RfLUczRcUFXzm4/s1600/Levi-147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl66iWVd8PiraqUIZV26MPDJWRVooaUPEJybiZ5m0IakpgBmmo0qxorBCW1aHvanP0iQ01C-AX690Qx9_yArNOg4mxRTaBDp7rjp-82zthwAwr8uVJhoZHxSQgtERK9RfLUczRcUFXzm4/s640/Levi-147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpKrH0Hmp1nO_yCzGJJpJBtD6NuhAB4ZclvLNcDYK38tI2fJ3qGT5DVPsDm0UuK3LkfH3zJOHYK_y5khAHYFTLtGBGfcDZHyIuayF3SutbOcz4BtXmiHv0PP2fKYCD5ooLqRvMog7gyc/s1600/Levi-148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpKrH0Hmp1nO_yCzGJJpJBtD6NuhAB4ZclvLNcDYK38tI2fJ3qGT5DVPsDm0UuK3LkfH3zJOHYK_y5khAHYFTLtGBGfcDZHyIuayF3SutbOcz4BtXmiHv0PP2fKYCD5ooLqRvMog7gyc/s640/Levi-148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uSCXiifky1vP4NXQJ6O80NhRs1GFZKEYk2liWJOuBGPt3k0no49ye7KLNvFFj7WYJ_RfXhHWozxbJUokkkBLj7vBrZfycoRvVXZ_O7BpZYzwJehCC_aAMlMyil-IyflbdDcsLq_U9Q4/s1600/Levi-152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uSCXiifky1vP4NXQJ6O80NhRs1GFZKEYk2liWJOuBGPt3k0no49ye7KLNvFFj7WYJ_RfXhHWozxbJUokkkBLj7vBrZfycoRvVXZ_O7BpZYzwJehCC_aAMlMyil-IyflbdDcsLq_U9Q4/s640/Levi-152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLvCT_Sd02QSCB-LrAmNMif2AAN1iTRYnOt1WjcpR-QPxp9vn4qqFkJfSbH7xxE8RDFXHQ3poTkiN5Rt8iXGmIy1TjJPo17noJtO-7TTphdTOl-5c9XqqBEyKr2kAga9ql6HfdSzzxcc/s1600/Levi-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLvCT_Sd02QSCB-LrAmNMif2AAN1iTRYnOt1WjcpR-QPxp9vn4qqFkJfSbH7xxE8RDFXHQ3poTkiN5Rt8iXGmIy1TjJPo17noJtO-7TTphdTOl-5c9XqqBEyKr2kAga9ql6HfdSzzxcc/s640/Levi-153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAZ_o5CncX3Ob09kQlcAtICMU3ZFwMtsUT7LZCdc2To5bMWP_XJzwnmhGhtWDmZ8FDLBhlM7nsXNCL6aXMr2lWnU4CYEvySZppM6YExrecY5DyHgzMD8mdcXQzt_3mWRXaycBjvlAc3E/s1600/Levi-156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAZ_o5CncX3Ob09kQlcAtICMU3ZFwMtsUT7LZCdc2To5bMWP_XJzwnmhGhtWDmZ8FDLBhlM7nsXNCL6aXMr2lWnU4CYEvySZppM6YExrecY5DyHgzMD8mdcXQzt_3mWRXaycBjvlAc3E/s640/Levi-156.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zg6KtpnsENTr79sRAHI8FmSb3cnjocxubTiY7XS3YwFZFSOsx-_1dSkPad8gbFjKJfgW326deUqwH23ANkOqST7AXGM7NQxF5uzQ878R2xHlz410zCIbZFiRJDheYwVJJxsVEhQ_AGU/s1600/Levi-159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zg6KtpnsENTr79sRAHI8FmSb3cnjocxubTiY7XS3YwFZFSOsx-_1dSkPad8gbFjKJfgW326deUqwH23ANkOqST7AXGM7NQxF5uzQ878R2xHlz410zCIbZFiRJDheYwVJJxsVEhQ_AGU/s640/Levi-159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEUqbEZGShqHOp0tp8Q0oMYs66vOM8dT46pegqOSgSvMhRqqg9RC7rP4jIynIXbJpRRyhR5gk7_tSy82NEEoutGYjvAtulfWjJXEqzck4PIu8ukZBqqofQoLnAKTnkKOEIvS1Y2Hh1AQ/s1600/Levi-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEUqbEZGShqHOp0tp8Q0oMYs66vOM8dT46pegqOSgSvMhRqqg9RC7rP4jIynIXbJpRRyhR5gk7_tSy82NEEoutGYjvAtulfWjJXEqzck4PIu8ukZBqqofQoLnAKTnkKOEIvS1Y2Hh1AQ/s640/Levi-164.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOZptUU0dZcPrNcKQ5nZI4SocqvfzDTZVaJCgUgjama0u5nzehBAu1BpC88BvOHh3w4hPEysHUL8ScZvYCDYKlknPQqjFGd8vng310B8I_EIlruk5FNSkZWSiQWUAa6QmqjU74kgg5mQ/s1600/Levi-165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOZptUU0dZcPrNcKQ5nZI4SocqvfzDTZVaJCgUgjama0u5nzehBAu1BpC88BvOHh3w4hPEysHUL8ScZvYCDYKlknPQqjFGd8vng310B8I_EIlruk5FNSkZWSiQWUAa6QmqjU74kgg5mQ/s640/Levi-165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdMTf2d3UKcMIk1Gll6HB75_RDCTFb8zlC7WZFlv-cWlN6pX8M04_vNcUbKROotadVIq8NcX3EBzlr7arx4YL0pGrwqh6w0l9ZDit4EiVdAItjzLFYmm67Ob2V8_blc1BGEox1D2p48Q/s1600/Levi-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdMTf2d3UKcMIk1Gll6HB75_RDCTFb8zlC7WZFlv-cWlN6pX8M04_vNcUbKROotadVIq8NcX3EBzlr7arx4YL0pGrwqh6w0l9ZDit4EiVdAItjzLFYmm67Ob2V8_blc1BGEox1D2p48Q/s640/Levi-169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynYT_GhQxmEHK_ri_-xNGCLb037Ous3nWRaiWGh1ewKixelQ-YsRlUUWm2fQOH55C5Q-wsHwIkS41kuFsNHmwJK-Y1YqnA071fupzYCJyyDlJ8qgZxMJhbpGdx4Buuqj5BM2xlHHdVic/s1600/Levi-170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynYT_GhQxmEHK_ri_-xNGCLb037Ous3nWRaiWGh1ewKixelQ-YsRlUUWm2fQOH55C5Q-wsHwIkS41kuFsNHmwJK-Y1YqnA071fupzYCJyyDlJ8qgZxMJhbpGdx4Buuqj5BM2xlHHdVic/s640/Levi-170.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eDnWJIW8YBP_e8VY0557fjNJeu3zeRRjXQ5rpFjib7BUBKPBNOn_PJb__uPSlKMFhZi60OJQ2GzMK3q_dtYeYg0i2ERn_cTBUb-ZAXFFRsp7qv-WDMMUJPM4a58Ivg0CwBwW1BCMiBg/s1600/Levi-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eDnWJIW8YBP_e8VY0557fjNJeu3zeRRjXQ5rpFjib7BUBKPBNOn_PJb__uPSlKMFhZi60OJQ2GzMK3q_dtYeYg0i2ERn_cTBUb-ZAXFFRsp7qv-WDMMUJPM4a58Ivg0CwBwW1BCMiBg/s640/Levi-172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy5AcM-zWLKpFA7wkvFLdllFbqcBKchltOhiLJITVjeFS_MwzMGvy3lFsZiRBs1mDkKHd86gRHBQzdmE50C7Y7U58vduaIeTnno80hALM26gUxmimnojO2MMBiut4IrZig-e0dv8SR4Q/s1600/Levi-173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy5AcM-zWLKpFA7wkvFLdllFbqcBKchltOhiLJITVjeFS_MwzMGvy3lFsZiRBs1mDkKHd86gRHBQzdmE50C7Y7U58vduaIeTnno80hALM26gUxmimnojO2MMBiut4IrZig-e0dv8SR4Q/s640/Levi-173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZVguUq8829c7Re63Dqx-lqioa9NXt6dv46Il10pRJg4Rrt_diQkLSaQgxnzR_ptVxjPo4REfnrZwl1n-RVVwU84_KxbWcCYj0GPrjpNxQ-TKTo9iEFu8QdmwO9b04-K-g4AAHlD0I6s/s1600/Levi-175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZVguUq8829c7Re63Dqx-lqioa9NXt6dv46Il10pRJg4Rrt_diQkLSaQgxnzR_ptVxjPo4REfnrZwl1n-RVVwU84_KxbWcCYj0GPrjpNxQ-TKTo9iEFu8QdmwO9b04-K-g4AAHlD0I6s/s640/Levi-175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O1_eKJezOcwK0BBmriDexVpp4YvomvfqNTCMWirQ-Hb2TMAKTvYuKmP3kiJg2TYVj2ZA42y22MmdH72mK37IY-g0-8OPqbYRgljFgxrUfGDhYtkjJkgg25eCnKfek_q8nD9gn65x8Mw/s1600/Levi-180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O1_eKJezOcwK0BBmriDexVpp4YvomvfqNTCMWirQ-Hb2TMAKTvYuKmP3kiJg2TYVj2ZA42y22MmdH72mK37IY-g0-8OPqbYRgljFgxrUfGDhYtkjJkgg25eCnKfek_q8nD9gn65x8Mw/s640/Levi-180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sXCijr_eP-jN5eHit5MrYrIjC9Iq44WGthkR-jZ4soeDzTGVg5DIVbVxWryCUVu5s5AP4oYyAqduFdMHPh7NMt5TEEbCBTebh6J6IHZgppIdWuInAuFXmD0M5GY2sY0dqJGYyjxiQ3E/s1600/Levi-181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sXCijr_eP-jN5eHit5MrYrIjC9Iq44WGthkR-jZ4soeDzTGVg5DIVbVxWryCUVu5s5AP4oYyAqduFdMHPh7NMt5TEEbCBTebh6J6IHZgppIdWuInAuFXmD0M5GY2sY0dqJGYyjxiQ3E/s640/Levi-181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lcot_-jffVDxSoZ-GayGU_P0LiQeHapNu3MPIi0ETUAtugPfRo3GyvHUpqv1wEW4LNvqhzXQMA7TbxIBpPOBTgNPwQX53uOhyphenhyphenboaJ70l0vXeGfKHQFXekOmwxiQrmeYtbGGSCGSU1mI/s1600/Levi-188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lcot_-jffVDxSoZ-GayGU_P0LiQeHapNu3MPIi0ETUAtugPfRo3GyvHUpqv1wEW4LNvqhzXQMA7TbxIBpPOBTgNPwQX53uOhyphenhyphenboaJ70l0vXeGfKHQFXekOmwxiQrmeYtbGGSCGSU1mI/s640/Levi-188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We're beyond grateful to have such a big, loving family that showers Levi with so much love. He is the little boy he is today because of all his family that shows him joy, laughter and guidance.<br />
Thanks everyone for being apart of his big day!<br />
He is officially 2 on Tuesday. :( / :) I'm not sure how I feel about this. My little boy is growing so fast!<br />
XOhope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-82808051134581572712013-09-29T19:02:00.000-04:002013-09-29T19:02:03.308-04:00Nichols Family Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is the collection of the Nichols Family Pictures!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was such a pleasure to finally meet this family. Chelsea and I had our boys the same week and have kept up with each other through Facebook. So it was great to finally see them and meet Eli. He is such a big boy and will be two this week. He is a Daddy's boy, a very curious little man, full of joy, and also has the serious model face down! Our session was filled with natural smiles as Mommy said, "Don't smile Eli! Don't do it!" As well as Daddy and Mommy tipping him upside down, throwing leaves at him, and chasing him around the park. Every once in a while, Eli would look at me with those gorgeous brown eyes and let me snap a photo. Happy Birthday Little Man!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAB19gNvDmzaRR91kDxCv0APlOCv0717rp7m4ZeksALv4IHsV4B7hGTac1J2Cso9lifAY-QBgy1d1CP6_Z4LvYMFfWj-u0_rZwHSwrZtp0N_mnhyFp5u_xY7tjOmvgX6FN8OAdpZmTY4/s1600/N1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAB19gNvDmzaRR91kDxCv0APlOCv0717rp7m4ZeksALv4IHsV4B7hGTac1J2Cso9lifAY-QBgy1d1CP6_Z4LvYMFfWj-u0_rZwHSwrZtp0N_mnhyFp5u_xY7tjOmvgX6FN8OAdpZmTY4/s640/N1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyWH_3aAuCCXR_7IXWREKyFdhRCE1X46PJmVzBXvx2bcrs5qwR_Be5pKhkhK0SOJC8wuIKYX8XA1eGDuRhCl4ZYk5lgejF_34us8oQ5Orbdt0EIRRWlsh20AlMTjl2VHiQ8juCTrObd4/s1600/N2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyWH_3aAuCCXR_7IXWREKyFdhRCE1X46PJmVzBXvx2bcrs5qwR_Be5pKhkhK0SOJC8wuIKYX8XA1eGDuRhCl4ZYk5lgejF_34us8oQ5Orbdt0EIRRWlsh20AlMTjl2VHiQ8juCTrObd4/s640/N2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5PzEOU_s6rBBWy80erydeW7ePILXnWFTce9CXir560jCjVMBiUgRo-LEt_3DldwBOZhmbNAfnWW1CApeZAC6o5V8yBcDFfW7UhC0dVnAhBrI3X6taw7b8BjoUkwkZubzgsa2kNpcsSg/s1600/N3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5PzEOU_s6rBBWy80erydeW7ePILXnWFTce9CXir560jCjVMBiUgRo-LEt_3DldwBOZhmbNAfnWW1CApeZAC6o5V8yBcDFfW7UhC0dVnAhBrI3X6taw7b8BjoUkwkZubzgsa2kNpcsSg/s640/N3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5qloEqgd4oxHwbQgYnfD8eDQYm1ckgCI0ImwkIyDVUcrHWZcjOYTZDOnFxU9ek2SgT2cgW3Dc7KZIbL2a5YzZu8MsvHc6Poo_2g9FXeDjYfnkkFp86xtV8Az3RO8TMwXcZM6W_8L6bg/s1600/N4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5qloEqgd4oxHwbQgYnfD8eDQYm1ckgCI0ImwkIyDVUcrHWZcjOYTZDOnFxU9ek2SgT2cgW3Dc7KZIbL2a5YzZu8MsvHc6Poo_2g9FXeDjYfnkkFp86xtV8Az3RO8TMwXcZM6W_8L6bg/s640/N4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1JeoKoNrPIxQX1w74bTCX4QDuEO0bzR6Rqf0F363sFnasNpqTYm-fgUkR_JvuknJGxB8s362xH9AcHCH_D5TDcuhn3t1x53LDt2ae5sDa8-xsf0galv82xJwYz6jY834-iaC6l0D1bc/s1600/N5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1JeoKoNrPIxQX1w74bTCX4QDuEO0bzR6Rqf0F363sFnasNpqTYm-fgUkR_JvuknJGxB8s362xH9AcHCH_D5TDcuhn3t1x53LDt2ae5sDa8-xsf0galv82xJwYz6jY834-iaC6l0D1bc/s640/N5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOSeUpJaVoBzQus6XeDmt0Qp0Ap685oLKQ0vL1CM7pwlZDA5Hre-oi5WhoDBmGFs1fIPnyUaMSTFjdJ2kvmhMPpB5pX863-42FIbPFgA1WVPMn_Kh0eaDusFFXBdeqf6U2absxAO7EGI/s1600/N6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOSeUpJaVoBzQus6XeDmt0Qp0Ap685oLKQ0vL1CM7pwlZDA5Hre-oi5WhoDBmGFs1fIPnyUaMSTFjdJ2kvmhMPpB5pX863-42FIbPFgA1WVPMn_Kh0eaDusFFXBdeqf6U2absxAO7EGI/s640/N6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMNzcOpbu66lBXs4ZBO8kuUGRo_eb-S4ENpsuvFpuFEzGuukrOKDcgHv88w7qtQxpRMYG_Ce_gXEqHx1aBkveXzBs6bjk2neTwzfHF-oms8TPP03t1eWoCPqWjlG9gx0F-iWVmttpFbw/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-13+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMNzcOpbu66lBXs4ZBO8kuUGRo_eb-S4ENpsuvFpuFEzGuukrOKDcgHv88w7qtQxpRMYG_Ce_gXEqHx1aBkveXzBs6bjk2neTwzfHF-oms8TPP03t1eWoCPqWjlG9gx0F-iWVmttpFbw/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-13+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD2jC6M2tbgAr4pROkEy3CA3P1eFKEgT67Qh-jEav8sVLD-NTfm4yEKQtpfpIhKq_imEv0uPT8Qbgp8z_zHao8mDis3vqQFPwuU0TV5xae6Y23EIuckkIh_8fui6hcVJeHuszMumo75g/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD2jC6M2tbgAr4pROkEy3CA3P1eFKEgT67Qh-jEav8sVLD-NTfm4yEKQtpfpIhKq_imEv0uPT8Qbgp8z_zHao8mDis3vqQFPwuU0TV5xae6Y23EIuckkIh_8fui6hcVJeHuszMumo75g/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrT1nksuhE4tPE-I29VAGPWxN_tH7Q3RCWE5gi51DnP0PCZJl6UbaOgM23mfGHQmif2cjCkrlDFp_0hAz0YBYvY-jGRuSpJigvxadar6IXRjy58-UD2MhDO2yq-6gCl7HiuCAQaHanK8/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-19+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrT1nksuhE4tPE-I29VAGPWxN_tH7Q3RCWE5gi51DnP0PCZJl6UbaOgM23mfGHQmif2cjCkrlDFp_0hAz0YBYvY-jGRuSpJigvxadar6IXRjy58-UD2MhDO2yq-6gCl7HiuCAQaHanK8/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-19+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRXfTE-1PfEIFBA2xGlSEx6xfYFEPEaO4c5PJEH0CuUHftk6OdNXm8RFzR69-SQ-Wp1mVJTBA2BjxJrE68Bw-digy8Q0PF6J_sRsFTeO-1I1vvvJxJLuRB-bVM-EORLx7prF1FjXMW5s/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRXfTE-1PfEIFBA2xGlSEx6xfYFEPEaO4c5PJEH0CuUHftk6OdNXm8RFzR69-SQ-Wp1mVJTBA2BjxJrE68Bw-digy8Q0PF6J_sRsFTeO-1I1vvvJxJLuRB-bVM-EORLx7prF1FjXMW5s/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44Qj69jBw1jiM6DCpSZWYIqBNTV-m-AVtabIPdtteqABscAlStbPDPBv5bruzTRKqfCbv63UOApDmX8BJSbrEXXxkkqnDhX1xaIM9k7qwubgfFyv-HNQkEd50GQMw-lFyRq76Af5XLxE/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44Qj69jBw1jiM6DCpSZWYIqBNTV-m-AVtabIPdtteqABscAlStbPDPBv5bruzTRKqfCbv63UOApDmX8BJSbrEXXxkkqnDhX1xaIM9k7qwubgfFyv-HNQkEd50GQMw-lFyRq76Af5XLxE/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ysJu7TTNqhWwaZwtunr_d2-dZ2dZFzzih_RRb1OPLc7eh-mPCgi_TMkIFZ0HMzYdsrC3X8UWX_83QkHPS6xj-fxlPYrFnKThsaMBARapcYhl2aM5K-HJiFECOsVH0cERHK-VdKfESw/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ysJu7TTNqhWwaZwtunr_d2-dZ2dZFzzih_RRb1OPLc7eh-mPCgi_TMkIFZ0HMzYdsrC3X8UWX_83QkHPS6xj-fxlPYrFnKThsaMBARapcYhl2aM5K-HJiFECOsVH0cERHK-VdKfESw/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1mYd-yFCpMheHzRImetAZYXkK-gU1OvfAd5gSKraK-hhk-TjGqWWnB81kQpAJhqhEtowZbSudXWsCbnbuzuyos-ewNj-pWvHiHftZeaymdWIDsK2lIftA0oaM9wOObz3B_-FG5H6PP0/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1mYd-yFCpMheHzRImetAZYXkK-gU1OvfAd5gSKraK-hhk-TjGqWWnB81kQpAJhqhEtowZbSudXWsCbnbuzuyos-ewNj-pWvHiHftZeaymdWIDsK2lIftA0oaM9wOObz3B_-FG5H6PP0/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGb_QE-auHtv42LuqJAuZszzKxUTnPoNkdQlrWtP6rXe1ZktyAVDi4EClw97Bcv7mE9N1aU_UXwVdE4wvnbtGiQ0PDmUVpwy0UA6idR8ctde0T5XGCvvfIDrW7xgQL2kdChMkWN5GAaI/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGb_QE-auHtv42LuqJAuZszzKxUTnPoNkdQlrWtP6rXe1ZktyAVDi4EClw97Bcv7mE9N1aU_UXwVdE4wvnbtGiQ0PDmUVpwy0UA6idR8ctde0T5XGCvvfIDrW7xgQL2kdChMkWN5GAaI/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1GRkPMlMDsCjpIM7W9sNnDB7qeWukSogzw9G5aXHCkemmNq-LZMewNSj8R1TdAPuKYTNaJoINVatqDfYvCuUt0JTXwxhEb0avsuGKl7DwwsLJb1gCBHa7ID_MHbhjKrFyyiD25QYsMA/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1GRkPMlMDsCjpIM7W9sNnDB7qeWukSogzw9G5aXHCkemmNq-LZMewNSj8R1TdAPuKYTNaJoINVatqDfYvCuUt0JTXwxhEb0avsuGKl7DwwsLJb1gCBHa7ID_MHbhjKrFyyiD25QYsMA/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK0oNU9L6jFFhRvvllVFu50Tg1L8FdeQA0HqCeHCt4sDin3h8maZAEShkNw0giNiv2s6EXlB6Kw0j5QyC4jmBlEzJ4H-lVIhOTF_iNeNSUoRydVTK2HVNK_jo-mquX0OhCVXoMC0iM6c/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK0oNU9L6jFFhRvvllVFu50Tg1L8FdeQA0HqCeHCt4sDin3h8maZAEShkNw0giNiv2s6EXlB6Kw0j5QyC4jmBlEzJ4H-lVIhOTF_iNeNSUoRydVTK2HVNK_jo-mquX0OhCVXoMC0iM6c/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSyadq0ZJrNJ9yIBQJ6PNrv_i_vlWAM1pQqz_eeWsg6uRSgAlduwZ_pEYm3dU-uH0XWEcugkDs2As6rBzUNTG_AkLm0IAZobDmtJPgFz57RACKv-GOsPoYTMO7ppBt1-6gjPP__twgRc/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSyadq0ZJrNJ9yIBQJ6PNrv_i_vlWAM1pQqz_eeWsg6uRSgAlduwZ_pEYm3dU-uH0XWEcugkDs2As6rBzUNTG_AkLm0IAZobDmtJPgFz57RACKv-GOsPoYTMO7ppBt1-6gjPP__twgRc/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_ScY4zbaxUUptlLSdMGn7FOiiVR5pb67Tg8SOVt_BecqLDSU3R91ttq2PffY3zcmw8AthX4cKaxvNGqbuWGnU9kM-fe2KHrvG-a5jkUMAuqm6MhNDdTvCaf8aH7PBYlnsJVCPaKuIaU/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_ScY4zbaxUUptlLSdMGn7FOiiVR5pb67Tg8SOVt_BecqLDSU3R91ttq2PffY3zcmw8AthX4cKaxvNGqbuWGnU9kM-fe2KHrvG-a5jkUMAuqm6MhNDdTvCaf8aH7PBYlnsJVCPaKuIaU/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgvoSk0fnWkmKvQ-yAJbhY4bXVr6YjCQKI98fhjHS8XvQVccXTjRxw5oIqkwVtL2UCZ4ewrhoRyWUj7K9G9T3lNatj_u_4xljp0a8j9za3p6q3XrTqG1cBhwzMHGFBdQQmtxpf9CkeC0/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgvoSk0fnWkmKvQ-yAJbhY4bXVr6YjCQKI98fhjHS8XvQVccXTjRxw5oIqkwVtL2UCZ4ewrhoRyWUj7K9G9T3lNatj_u_4xljp0a8j9za3p6q3XrTqG1cBhwzMHGFBdQQmtxpf9CkeC0/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaH5XIunG1YE2Dynd6UqUquAcSPL_haq7HXtz4VLsehlDR-YRTppCINnnNaQhu91NT-dcnFtFKeG4-YySb2qJYLXDXty2x9AQdRaoobIOgdogAFMm0oDDyJrE252WnrX0aDZDf82M4Xo/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaH5XIunG1YE2Dynd6UqUquAcSPL_haq7HXtz4VLsehlDR-YRTppCINnnNaQhu91NT-dcnFtFKeG4-YySb2qJYLXDXty2x9AQdRaoobIOgdogAFMm0oDDyJrE252WnrX0aDZDf82M4Xo/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-59.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES9fqbQ0OYJVgeh8efVTUB_Rm4WqOU7rRGE_onDBzKOl5L4gq91Cn6voDNL95twZtMOjghi23T97jeh4x6raLmBvIQUoS2rePvtqhFImcJw1Cx7F4PLahw4ZTw2v6cCAtNExNnCK_V7A/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES9fqbQ0OYJVgeh8efVTUB_Rm4WqOU7rRGE_onDBzKOl5L4gq91Cn6voDNL95twZtMOjghi23T97jeh4x6raLmBvIQUoS2rePvtqhFImcJw1Cx7F4PLahw4ZTw2v6cCAtNExNnCK_V7A/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhyphenhyphenoTXlplAbJNwbonTFEvxHPUVrTLG3Oao6l-1imyHKRkbdkF4i6F61xF285Jx2DplIkSovaYvDJJQlkUk9PK4L0v9bSt-b3Ntr4qAQVMfWWamOF1kpJYfbIqfLSG5o6dkGELtS1x2oY/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhyphenhyphenoTXlplAbJNwbonTFEvxHPUVrTLG3Oao6l-1imyHKRkbdkF4i6F61xF285Jx2DplIkSovaYvDJJQlkUk9PK4L0v9bSt-b3Ntr4qAQVMfWWamOF1kpJYfbIqfLSG5o6dkGELtS1x2oY/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-64.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC3zH1JP43IlDBlMRuNfmJCsCvtHVeXyYVH8z2_7ZIJ2QQmolajthcn4ruJuOdRNjgJKp9k-jQ5kjct_2WaqcoOrL0uPpWKTeK-hSMLS8RpucJzA5Ku_Qa4bQYQtBAPdvBLsM7DfL6uQ/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC3zH1JP43IlDBlMRuNfmJCsCvtHVeXyYVH8z2_7ZIJ2QQmolajthcn4ruJuOdRNjgJKp9k-jQ5kjct_2WaqcoOrL0uPpWKTeK-hSMLS8RpucJzA5Ku_Qa4bQYQtBAPdvBLsM7DfL6uQ/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGKoNfIRoPX-IHqtrflWYjb8c60IFMQhiE6BYNJo_u_7f4xk89Pi6spH4NDg5FDgLFAAUvXbpys5Z1c8zp-MMpz2z4CLwFPbiIpb8nDZNml2Cjp5LPQn_SWNeVIMw3x-ulwza8a4m__0/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGKoNfIRoPX-IHqtrflWYjb8c60IFMQhiE6BYNJo_u_7f4xk89Pi6spH4NDg5FDgLFAAUvXbpys5Z1c8zp-MMpz2z4CLwFPbiIpb8nDZNml2Cjp5LPQn_SWNeVIMw3x-ulwza8a4m__0/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Iv8_wuf4G4nBjXW7qZq8cZ9FM1QhBU3EJxbXReMMuWSYpoVwN2p05vot2AHvPYtl2jgoIpxulkduNaUdDSSE5AwRQ70xBJbQD-92ATDb2bjDaf34JcUFn0iIF8DV6tcfJWT05_GUb4/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Iv8_wuf4G4nBjXW7qZq8cZ9FM1QhBU3EJxbXReMMuWSYpoVwN2p05vot2AHvPYtl2jgoIpxulkduNaUdDSSE5AwRQ70xBJbQD-92ATDb2bjDaf34JcUFn0iIF8DV6tcfJWT05_GUb4/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-69.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Xe4h52aAImFAe0bBuodPDR9wd2FcD_JJWxKgFT2ZGvmMfCyQyHDJIeiYk6B7em1RfhtKZzkgxV5iweZSdG5Dg_U13NLK70WdYUxQUVDuGu-czCsLkImSsf_hABOWGbKjUDTJVqXwoM/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Xe4h52aAImFAe0bBuodPDR9wd2FcD_JJWxKgFT2ZGvmMfCyQyHDJIeiYk6B7em1RfhtKZzkgxV5iweZSdG5Dg_U13NLK70WdYUxQUVDuGu-czCsLkImSsf_hABOWGbKjUDTJVqXwoM/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1)-70.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnl8iiK9D9-bqSkp6DNFB8N7lr4A5lAlGnircywAlcPWnM8M_x-z0yRFOb_G-GGo7fntWKtFMy-Ac5M3fNQo_oFRqaly8h_Z8N1tGoULmMXgr2AjRUE7l7NqoeR2OoZKiTBgIIwGuy9g/s1600/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnl8iiK9D9-bqSkp6DNFB8N7lr4A5lAlGnircywAlcPWnM8M_x-z0yRFOb_G-GGo7fntWKtFMy-Ac5M3fNQo_oFRqaly8h_Z8N1tGoULmMXgr2AjRUE7l7NqoeR2OoZKiTBgIIwGuy9g/s640/Nichols+Family+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
XOXOhope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-45163423014825662982013-09-27T14:53:00.002-04:002013-09-27T14:56:12.454-04:00A letter to my Facebook Friends-<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Day 19 of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html" style="color: #bf9000; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blogtember</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>An anonymous letter to your Facebook friends. Be as snarky as you'd like. (but don't include people's real names.) </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's see. I am one of those people who started Facebook in High School, so the <i>friends</i> I have on there are from forever ago. So basically, it is a big pain to sit and delete people because there are way too many to do that. So I unfollow people who I'd rather not see their stuff on my newsfeed. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It really irritates me when people post political nonsense on their page, it doesn't even matter which side of the fence they are on. Nobody is ever right when it comes to politics, and certainly you cannot change people's minds by a joke on our President.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as people who post crappy, crappy pictures of their food, selfies, or just anything period. Crappy cell phone pictures are the worst! Especially when you cannot make out what it is. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its also SO irritating when people post their relationship/marital business on FB. I almost always immediately unfollow people when they are throwing their partner under the bus (whether they deserve it or not) on FB. I feel embarrassed for them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or people who act like their lives are peaches and cream 24.7. We all know those are the people who are probably very unhappy or insecure. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I do annoying things on FB. Probably the main thing is post a million pictures, mostly of my kid. So if you don't like it, just unfollow me. But I have a lot of family out of state, and they love to see updates and pictures of my growing boy. And my life revolves around my kid so that is probably why my page consists of updates/pics of him. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">I also want to include the people who have contacted me for pictures, encouraged my photography and continue to show me support. Its really a good feeling when you see your progress as well as other people and you take time out to tell me. So THANK YOU!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html">
<img border="0" src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m553/jennilu07/Blogtember200_zps4672ae9b.png" />
</a></center>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-6245179154137998372013-09-24T13:02:00.002-04:002013-09-24T13:02:56.737-04:00Levi's 2 year Pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are Levi's two year pictures! He was a ham during the sunset portion and not so much during the afternoon portion haha. Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWczg0FHipkpxNk-9nYMMVW725CFAGEy9Ee0l5x43dAy8gYV_9LhI5D-T11qinuJ2B2F-7jOzF2J3CgD0WQ6lU5FOE19waWs7aefOqdnyzgz5TG8mQDTxaGPQ5xTGCOP4xCt590k7Ofo/s1600/IMG_6998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWczg0FHipkpxNk-9nYMMVW725CFAGEy9Ee0l5x43dAy8gYV_9LhI5D-T11qinuJ2B2F-7jOzF2J3CgD0WQ6lU5FOE19waWs7aefOqdnyzgz5TG8mQDTxaGPQ5xTGCOP4xCt590k7Ofo/s640/IMG_6998.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhYbQA1xUIAmoRlI0fodSZataTQe8tmt6wMgeEMhnYFkPOxIhR4KZMsAFkZNVG5H1K38wGJiH7o6qpN8R-8YDEo_nthMJIqpIEU0MZSKbtuU_I2pcQggNItF765rOHwkEhe-6o-901YQ/s1600/IMG_6999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhYbQA1xUIAmoRlI0fodSZataTQe8tmt6wMgeEMhnYFkPOxIhR4KZMsAFkZNVG5H1K38wGJiH7o6qpN8R-8YDEo_nthMJIqpIEU0MZSKbtuU_I2pcQggNItF765rOHwkEhe-6o-901YQ/s640/IMG_6999.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKNqF24Afj_50vkx3Ol1IAoyUxOIc1tJ1MYI6wHzX49ERo36UoqWxJI7CJ0KaY8LyVQ0HR3BuB08XdibGY2EcmTJAw62ulTyAtLBhMbeVq7D1ymWK6Ht4qh_OnHfz37b1pSdMv5gb5EY/s1600/IMG_7014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKNqF24Afj_50vkx3Ol1IAoyUxOIc1tJ1MYI6wHzX49ERo36UoqWxJI7CJ0KaY8LyVQ0HR3BuB08XdibGY2EcmTJAw62ulTyAtLBhMbeVq7D1ymWK6Ht4qh_OnHfz37b1pSdMv5gb5EY/s640/IMG_7014.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzQPIkCD84Iqkl7xoo8u8jklAxI1-SEu3-2ecyrb7SN6flhare1QgWFdY4d3zFLkOtZr0BZI70ksHZTx49DxZEascoryFn6zMHs5cIhi8q0BK5lXdlsT5RTYmlusrrcm2oUbghw05syw/s1600/IMG_7030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzQPIkCD84Iqkl7xoo8u8jklAxI1-SEu3-2ecyrb7SN6flhare1QgWFdY4d3zFLkOtZr0BZI70ksHZTx49DxZEascoryFn6zMHs5cIhi8q0BK5lXdlsT5RTYmlusrrcm2oUbghw05syw/s640/IMG_7030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjice-cO6RZpuO9BTKZv5mSP0jiWYiYVOV3yXhFQjeRwZZFKFgNHstlJPSGmeaxTHAVrFNf1pilpNJ2J4SP-hJMTddENaVX0H6lvifzP764TD6hr682LtFPfyr2MNB92xdRMPMfhppW9gg/s1600/IMG_7033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjice-cO6RZpuO9BTKZv5mSP0jiWYiYVOV3yXhFQjeRwZZFKFgNHstlJPSGmeaxTHAVrFNf1pilpNJ2J4SP-hJMTddENaVX0H6lvifzP764TD6hr682LtFPfyr2MNB92xdRMPMfhppW9gg/s640/IMG_7033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bdPcohZ0Dsw0RhmkOQYcue0ALrS6jpkcSL5k7-B_azbz76Xsj3utw7yha6aK5-8N0yYL1hqz46fd5CM0rtIkwZXpC7nOKbE-pa6jkDvDOaLBWuc-OsKQUTJncHCcH0AIMCoIQgiydaE/s1600/IMG_7040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bdPcohZ0Dsw0RhmkOQYcue0ALrS6jpkcSL5k7-B_azbz76Xsj3utw7yha6aK5-8N0yYL1hqz46fd5CM0rtIkwZXpC7nOKbE-pa6jkDvDOaLBWuc-OsKQUTJncHCcH0AIMCoIQgiydaE/s640/IMG_7040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebsiqukXGSlxPRgwLvJgUyMwyYcMSOqRKDdO8Pa_jj0bbJPA8FuXGwfl-9GzTgTKE7K_fztFzHSTGm9IM_uMZIplhI5G9d54_d0_V3yF2IcpO5fs9LTiMWE1vJdfGIkX4lF1D_2aWVvE/s1600/IMG_7076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebsiqukXGSlxPRgwLvJgUyMwyYcMSOqRKDdO8Pa_jj0bbJPA8FuXGwfl-9GzTgTKE7K_fztFzHSTGm9IM_uMZIplhI5G9d54_d0_V3yF2IcpO5fs9LTiMWE1vJdfGIkX4lF1D_2aWVvE/s640/IMG_7076.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEPgUQpRBmVybq5ER7X2FJLONhLQ36wLZMvf-UWJd6yZAT-opt2oieTSUDHdsrJT-4e6QfYBckfGKGzR22hBCpWfc3scN663VOuNZFjoJXmg6Ese6eeEDck6u3CTgwgbPW0jrkmoIEko/s1600/IMG_7078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEPgUQpRBmVybq5ER7X2FJLONhLQ36wLZMvf-UWJd6yZAT-opt2oieTSUDHdsrJT-4e6QfYBckfGKGzR22hBCpWfc3scN663VOuNZFjoJXmg6Ese6eeEDck6u3CTgwgbPW0jrkmoIEko/s640/IMG_7078.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ChqDuudl5kTggtG-J3cfGx4uqnl4_ZaJBunFX4-slodbTnuDv0TIY7-_uud9uw3pU54geh8Lk1tUQXB55JrYDF_plh80WLMfgEnIZ4hMxmeugSfRGh1dymYGMrXCFWxa3jFw8Fk7cg8/s1600/IMG_7079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ChqDuudl5kTggtG-J3cfGx4uqnl4_ZaJBunFX4-slodbTnuDv0TIY7-_uud9uw3pU54geh8Lk1tUQXB55JrYDF_plh80WLMfgEnIZ4hMxmeugSfRGh1dymYGMrXCFWxa3jFw8Fk7cg8/s640/IMG_7079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KyRah4IRCmO08i4aRPgrU003PkOS3cNFIBx1Hc8XtfBTyIpq61pxEGtf5WnkvLZtCYL08OVwNy8BSUEp8KMgLeCKagStUb_rMv5lJcIFH4kKbp2KM9fzm1pSqsiXw-H0yOjIxX6IL_o/s1600/IMG_7088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KyRah4IRCmO08i4aRPgrU003PkOS3cNFIBx1Hc8XtfBTyIpq61pxEGtf5WnkvLZtCYL08OVwNy8BSUEp8KMgLeCKagStUb_rMv5lJcIFH4kKbp2KM9fzm1pSqsiXw-H0yOjIxX6IL_o/s640/IMG_7088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvMJxqv5Jw5YBPhxT1veqZtotwzFE-FgUTnCmv4QX57DAYJyUURBtoGVTKXOFzVAuXVyVJeB0NId-xuSXmRmDFTn2ejCgO9Ksv_ua9wqBtCt0xI8QgHr3A73d9Itu33HR8uUmlYS_ppU/s1600/IMG_7092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvMJxqv5Jw5YBPhxT1veqZtotwzFE-FgUTnCmv4QX57DAYJyUURBtoGVTKXOFzVAuXVyVJeB0NId-xuSXmRmDFTn2ejCgO9Ksv_ua9wqBtCt0xI8QgHr3A73d9Itu33HR8uUmlYS_ppU/s640/IMG_7092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZNnYCulPLrmtTj14DqPFA9_r5lIs0toQwlLr-nqCPWV6YoJLbzbUO2KhoE0tMwdA6E6cLL5LcBKklR3KhXP7pNg4tyJZgB85NGzCcIPj-irF-a_gXPxMGv2DfgJRxw-wRaDOQs9-yds/s1600/IMG_7093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZNnYCulPLrmtTj14DqPFA9_r5lIs0toQwlLr-nqCPWV6YoJLbzbUO2KhoE0tMwdA6E6cLL5LcBKklR3KhXP7pNg4tyJZgB85NGzCcIPj-irF-a_gXPxMGv2DfgJRxw-wRaDOQs9-yds/s640/IMG_7093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0YyE82itdgYfx1Xp1ODuY7RqBkQzjHNgRTDazZj9gj01TjyLdUHN9MTVpReYeq87amwkZq-_cBxqIPR2BeuBtBW_9nPR_xd08wBvg8f_uqyOGRAiduR32voclE9vFYHDFz_l0ILSRR8/s1600/IMG_7094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0YyE82itdgYfx1Xp1ODuY7RqBkQzjHNgRTDazZj9gj01TjyLdUHN9MTVpReYeq87amwkZq-_cBxqIPR2BeuBtBW_9nPR_xd08wBvg8f_uqyOGRAiduR32voclE9vFYHDFz_l0ILSRR8/s640/IMG_7094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Bzzw7rzYtg7nsi3fJRIz18McOfN8JE7_HSixbxcF9C5LhP6uj9sZFtxISWOF7Xmtswi2G-GmQ9BGfcKoF9I8YjzdCOY2CFZ1ihxZJg7N_bGp51soBTkeMCP23G50tuL8bN-0xH21oU/s1600/IMG_7104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Bzzw7rzYtg7nsi3fJRIz18McOfN8JE7_HSixbxcF9C5LhP6uj9sZFtxISWOF7Xmtswi2G-GmQ9BGfcKoF9I8YjzdCOY2CFZ1ihxZJg7N_bGp51soBTkeMCP23G50tuL8bN-0xH21oU/s640/IMG_7104.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E54_ZPi9AFXw-FjNN_mahvO-2mcxD1Ryw_fOgMrVj1lMmaEEJRGZP2_Lqc10Hbgca8qQuuMFVoq8-SOmKenasE2W5MNN8IDOQ3_-iBj6NwLi7_j1bkAKLMlQ_o3FQKBRIpbJKwWCGFE/s1600/IMG_7109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E54_ZPi9AFXw-FjNN_mahvO-2mcxD1Ryw_fOgMrVj1lMmaEEJRGZP2_Lqc10Hbgca8qQuuMFVoq8-SOmKenasE2W5MNN8IDOQ3_-iBj6NwLi7_j1bkAKLMlQ_o3FQKBRIpbJKwWCGFE/s640/IMG_7109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8cq4Nv14tH-gUX_LX4JJQPhQ3Msk2nylImQ4hKY1BGjUfDYIWBDAo943ePzXXhztt40enKZx96CGIRz080mXLPaMv4mCchCvUOdW7sQRVuQtbpxJTqSaQJ2Y2eJBUSPg-QQ7e5jfY78/s1600/IMG_7110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8cq4Nv14tH-gUX_LX4JJQPhQ3Msk2nylImQ4hKY1BGjUfDYIWBDAo943ePzXXhztt40enKZx96CGIRz080mXLPaMv4mCchCvUOdW7sQRVuQtbpxJTqSaQJ2Y2eJBUSPg-QQ7e5jfY78/s640/IMG_7110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWW8zdK4IcyCGgDlMII06ou4au-uBXDgtY9GOkwFVZDUvZa5ksIrFvVyTH232IBiXG3ny0Tywq7r3a-bUS0qriweF8akkfYjnVBPYGk2sK_pJjbl8krem5j0m2WObrO9o5kNKBtgCE5I/s1600/IMG_7115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWW8zdK4IcyCGgDlMII06ou4au-uBXDgtY9GOkwFVZDUvZa5ksIrFvVyTH232IBiXG3ny0Tywq7r3a-bUS0qriweF8akkfYjnVBPYGk2sK_pJjbl8krem5j0m2WObrO9o5kNKBtgCE5I/s640/IMG_7115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6mVv849CQ8H2q8zlCT7vpmvQJ7LolKmCjQRMUjb5nB7I56j8SraXf4XPfn2oH8hXvdm9DBjhU2EIAxWAyI2pzNjVnIgR4kccKd-ega5O6eYr-hPjcXb2AaeNyi3KhOVYfftNUugFr3U/s1600/IMG_7116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6mVv849CQ8H2q8zlCT7vpmvQJ7LolKmCjQRMUjb5nB7I56j8SraXf4XPfn2oH8hXvdm9DBjhU2EIAxWAyI2pzNjVnIgR4kccKd-ega5O6eYr-hPjcXb2AaeNyi3KhOVYfftNUugFr3U/s640/IMG_7116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTOgZp81OzgnYijCg9xL6rGI2stYDtyCBO4e4sqtG4I-zj_CwngH6n3isYJmGBvQucqx8RfcX8t5Wybkkg1ynPCD6SpufnkwXwubD6vrK23ZPUDLO0UfcSvtMsA0jiXiZq7GeONVhvmw/s1600/IMG_7120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTOgZp81OzgnYijCg9xL6rGI2stYDtyCBO4e4sqtG4I-zj_CwngH6n3isYJmGBvQucqx8RfcX8t5Wybkkg1ynPCD6SpufnkwXwubD6vrK23ZPUDLO0UfcSvtMsA0jiXiZq7GeONVhvmw/s640/IMG_7120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ghPlBHw6hDt97Vmy30F1opEGZhyphenhyphenXIfm4sTUaw1O0fgERQr2ZCONqbAah1gY9nY03OOnzPukOPQD3d_OA4hh6swoo7oS5kYHyldhlSha4wtmMWDDpTNmarbxesVQ5OYU6BTS7Rl3mguc/s1600/IMG_7121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ghPlBHw6hDt97Vmy30F1opEGZhyphenhyphenXIfm4sTUaw1O0fgERQr2ZCONqbAah1gY9nY03OOnzPukOPQD3d_OA4hh6swoo7oS5kYHyldhlSha4wtmMWDDpTNmarbxesVQ5OYU6BTS7Rl3mguc/s640/IMG_7121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi4DLq7u6SpEJMn2Og08XPXdyrS727UwAm35LIMAKs9S4KdBIsQMTdRwRAtIvzScFS8rI4h25VlEx8jozdvGk76dU2kPj3bNieHT8WzPKEZhr9ZmGdyzsiDgPG0ZJu_i4skb1ZyGOmgY/s1600/IMG_7123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi4DLq7u6SpEJMn2Og08XPXdyrS727UwAm35LIMAKs9S4KdBIsQMTdRwRAtIvzScFS8rI4h25VlEx8jozdvGk76dU2kPj3bNieHT8WzPKEZhr9ZmGdyzsiDgPG0ZJu_i4skb1ZyGOmgY/s640/IMG_7123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUMdFjK-qUUXBbxUzv9T7jaAsYKLiPgOovXgbm-SQE7l6DrOdRt4LgVt0lP91swavkS8v88SBZeuwRWN9UX21py_1ZzzlGxPuEWCVb5ccO6WIo0XC04LxqsWqKYEfqt6RT2rmp-oS96Q/s1600/IMG_7132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUMdFjK-qUUXBbxUzv9T7jaAsYKLiPgOovXgbm-SQE7l6DrOdRt4LgVt0lP91swavkS8v88SBZeuwRWN9UX21py_1ZzzlGxPuEWCVb5ccO6WIo0XC04LxqsWqKYEfqt6RT2rmp-oS96Q/s640/IMG_7132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsywl0viLmEWI30xEDiVgEzcyNHXmjSfsLWMlOKWPCnwb37RaC1igaRfZtf0T0JTNDB5SGAsEugPMCfFntbUfbcgDqukR1UOEeezG1TWiqDhM97R3nW6W0-5MAGK5PE5AN-JQPlu4TmZg/s1600/IMG_7133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsywl0viLmEWI30xEDiVgEzcyNHXmjSfsLWMlOKWPCnwb37RaC1igaRfZtf0T0JTNDB5SGAsEugPMCfFntbUfbcgDqukR1UOEeezG1TWiqDhM97R3nW6W0-5MAGK5PE5AN-JQPlu4TmZg/s640/IMG_7133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuBkd4xuE2Np2iCGCsTSZkjBuqN68E9yJemC0zqo3rKdRPP7cnXSHX4wfDspvRqjRnmhACp3IC4_d7qFD-P6Ug9zRH4f9zz4SBlFDt-Bq5ninIn1t-ia3Vj9GfarqBIzEr-nqgy2xVwY/s1600/IMG_7134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuBkd4xuE2Np2iCGCsTSZkjBuqN68E9yJemC0zqo3rKdRPP7cnXSHX4wfDspvRqjRnmhACp3IC4_d7qFD-P6Ug9zRH4f9zz4SBlFDt-Bq5ninIn1t-ia3Vj9GfarqBIzEr-nqgy2xVwY/s640/IMG_7134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3v6so4efd1wjCTFof-k02oGob_odX8tpsGD20XckYb9vvnsKRynQByOSbX-L3sm_Ac1yG0QismVLmmyRWYlcpg9NoOzgkaWSHXVfdVDwT_A9WX2832GTb2GVQdze3i3dJfLPsBDn4Tk/s1600/IMG_7140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3v6so4efd1wjCTFof-k02oGob_odX8tpsGD20XckYb9vvnsKRynQByOSbX-L3sm_Ac1yG0QismVLmmyRWYlcpg9NoOzgkaWSHXVfdVDwT_A9WX2832GTb2GVQdze3i3dJfLPsBDn4Tk/s640/IMG_7140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePWNjLcKTe3UVOcJmiFyUMMingTax7NGP6b-849H1bkBh-A4n4wZywt41dUlwwkD7HiUksMpXOLVUu123fNuMmFG-vWJv9PW9HfoNASEwXCX7OYIjL8W5JacxdPFc4P4rOY4Bb_tHybo/s1600/IMG_6659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePWNjLcKTe3UVOcJmiFyUMMingTax7NGP6b-849H1bkBh-A4n4wZywt41dUlwwkD7HiUksMpXOLVUu123fNuMmFG-vWJv9PW9HfoNASEwXCX7OYIjL8W5JacxdPFc4P4rOY4Bb_tHybo/s640/IMG_6659.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NiNvjjmjUPr2RbQQxurWkl07oSLpjuF9atDjh-oXqk8G1ijpZW_w_0eszNuCCn-QhXQG3sg_lYP1RVKzPUvR0Lo5ixh9mMMeB6yTzTfoYUowWpn-J5BQzuYdVCk9KSmko8rBQ56MQVg/s1600/IMG_6702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NiNvjjmjUPr2RbQQxurWkl07oSLpjuF9atDjh-oXqk8G1ijpZW_w_0eszNuCCn-QhXQG3sg_lYP1RVKzPUvR0Lo5ixh9mMMeB6yTzTfoYUowWpn-J5BQzuYdVCk9KSmko8rBQ56MQVg/s640/IMG_6702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYQyGXZSTHvPcmHXdQlQjUNoQJAYEW4y8Izjg-syc__3gO63O7sMCImlbw1KcpGQpyqJZDPPu1Dr99rzcXoXNuXQSyWAQL5C4U9D9j7Ei-xBg7vXhYKeN9MC-1tQgCjl3T8EivO1viRk/s1600/IMG_6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYQyGXZSTHvPcmHXdQlQjUNoQJAYEW4y8Izjg-syc__3gO63O7sMCImlbw1KcpGQpyqJZDPPu1Dr99rzcXoXNuXQSyWAQL5C4U9D9j7Ei-xBg7vXhYKeN9MC-1tQgCjl3T8EivO1viRk/s640/IMG_6707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DMo7zQIGTnUq5bjxzldDkrFy6z3f1TswDJxj274MirJxqR1Gzj1evvQPEnmXxAEsBvHj4ZZtmAl_L5qGXOyQg8A7Iylfwy1dVen2c26NEVbmn95mJA2iB1I-XfBzatbmLhUbFeu5b6k/s1600/IMG_6732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DMo7zQIGTnUq5bjxzldDkrFy6z3f1TswDJxj274MirJxqR1Gzj1evvQPEnmXxAEsBvHj4ZZtmAl_L5qGXOyQg8A7Iylfwy1dVen2c26NEVbmn95mJA2iB1I-XfBzatbmLhUbFeu5b6k/s640/IMG_6732.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgbqdyj76SEgYCoHbMx6niQLBmNyUNUrd66lz91WZ_t1ybGZgaMUoisIO2VJD_rtfkwTlMAWffk-F09SviChbwuBEKYV7-Loqv5s2L0VtL0m35ASz05FugChORyY0n8ecKeMDI0p07mY/s1600/IMG_6745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgbqdyj76SEgYCoHbMx6niQLBmNyUNUrd66lz91WZ_t1ybGZgaMUoisIO2VJD_rtfkwTlMAWffk-F09SviChbwuBEKYV7-Loqv5s2L0VtL0m35ASz05FugChORyY0n8ecKeMDI0p07mY/s640/IMG_6745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir03B5pfk1mRMTe5zR7SfuzarBpM1C1CYdbYlJZROPL9OXUhY1iYyAfeOY5G2XmWFuLMZ5nVrO_N2tSRwXYLjFGqNpugH9qQwIgo_RFS5-6DWt2zVPnQ9APRpJvBu02Je_y36i1QRyDKE/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir03B5pfk1mRMTe5zR7SfuzarBpM1C1CYdbYlJZROPL9OXUhY1iYyAfeOY5G2XmWFuLMZ5nVrO_N2tSRwXYLjFGqNpugH9qQwIgo_RFS5-6DWt2zVPnQ9APRpJvBu02Je_y36i1QRyDKE/s640/IMG_6760.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMW_clATxI47RE30aXglLeNNGWhw_XNlHJPavr-yA9RWbZpDDbdmWvFqW8-QTmM0QcWTPYH7cD13SQhLdg7SdNDbbjW6c7VelkSYDX2jVKGn10ptfkNlAzjX60r6otIZOkPHIYGW67TY/s1600/IMG_6766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMW_clATxI47RE30aXglLeNNGWhw_XNlHJPavr-yA9RWbZpDDbdmWvFqW8-QTmM0QcWTPYH7cD13SQhLdg7SdNDbbjW6c7VelkSYDX2jVKGn10ptfkNlAzjX60r6otIZOkPHIYGW67TY/s640/IMG_6766.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybjdsrd_qEp0sMGSbPml5jgDGhPIivRTaEQAFK0PAvIsFFk4NxPa3QpvfW3QmBgrfY83g1BvPe8D-VT3zJJLyemjHvsOEbb4rC561jUKJPvgI3wTszJ65fLC6dBDRvW6q2U6dHGalC3Q/s1600/IMG_6775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybjdsrd_qEp0sMGSbPml5jgDGhPIivRTaEQAFK0PAvIsFFk4NxPa3QpvfW3QmBgrfY83g1BvPe8D-VT3zJJLyemjHvsOEbb4rC561jUKJPvgI3wTszJ65fLC6dBDRvW6q2U6dHGalC3Q/s640/IMG_6775.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfvoT7HQItDLAcHI2cquXTi6UIVrjhaqs_dXTqnc7V7Uhuv4e_x02gVSAyJIcvjXnAuWLT2-yzeGKCnsyjNI0RDCGZU7uI7akzW_iexd-Ch2jkxqJgvaPeYa8b51Im3EfXwfM8FChUEM/s1600/IMG_6792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfvoT7HQItDLAcHI2cquXTi6UIVrjhaqs_dXTqnc7V7Uhuv4e_x02gVSAyJIcvjXnAuWLT2-yzeGKCnsyjNI0RDCGZU7uI7akzW_iexd-Ch2jkxqJgvaPeYa8b51Im3EfXwfM8FChUEM/s640/IMG_6792.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEtPcZmq6iHbgHOKkXAKpNHhjgM7jCMUOQTuDy9BVjUC5qT7KTHDYxy-_U5eU7SWCxFlh88xyYXHe4SYtKRREjLSVndmLSsnf84d3Jk_LXpMFVssKBR2j3KdNqlKAW5AHZAfl95k8asw/s1600/IMG_6816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEtPcZmq6iHbgHOKkXAKpNHhjgM7jCMUOQTuDy9BVjUC5qT7KTHDYxy-_U5eU7SWCxFlh88xyYXHe4SYtKRREjLSVndmLSsnf84d3Jk_LXpMFVssKBR2j3KdNqlKAW5AHZAfl95k8asw/s640/IMG_6816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPN5I3ahEWEI70_7xNH7b0y-mxhreyR8EFYUWUw0ChW5vYuwPhmtqP2mE1M9HgA84YHpyTVg4WBRamT5JGTZwd9MxVfUEER-naRdzFh7pVP55ZoruhevD7SN4v9Sr0Sl7WZxHu_aa8_s/s1600/IMG_6831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPN5I3ahEWEI70_7xNH7b0y-mxhreyR8EFYUWUw0ChW5vYuwPhmtqP2mE1M9HgA84YHpyTVg4WBRamT5JGTZwd9MxVfUEER-naRdzFh7pVP55ZoruhevD7SN4v9Sr0Sl7WZxHu_aa8_s/s640/IMG_6831.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZvNBkPTJMro3Tqc3xFHjBYSxIieU8dgrB0hskldXEF-MsCknZZD59adRoyg7tYOCsjX8ELxqs2jcVzoQz3lW4jfyQhnct0ZUUYWEsLRtNfvWVOYStXygq84s6UhX5BC4T_kg6-nGPXQ/s1600/IMG_6844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZvNBkPTJMro3Tqc3xFHjBYSxIieU8dgrB0hskldXEF-MsCknZZD59adRoyg7tYOCsjX8ELxqs2jcVzoQz3lW4jfyQhnct0ZUUYWEsLRtNfvWVOYStXygq84s6UhX5BC4T_kg6-nGPXQ/s640/IMG_6844.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXdF1jOSBrbIHn19Mu9yHXI19OJzbqtGjAgMinhPouUr6n88fY3g10w56E7r5SrACuvTwDXfrARaXu0oGTLTjOcV3SKPJLqIJwWNCuoE1N2peGexR1mxBmyZNelA8bZWkOiD_5Zmm324/s1600/IMG_6863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXdF1jOSBrbIHn19Mu9yHXI19OJzbqtGjAgMinhPouUr6n88fY3g10w56E7r5SrACuvTwDXfrARaXu0oGTLTjOcV3SKPJLqIJwWNCuoE1N2peGexR1mxBmyZNelA8bZWkOiD_5Zmm324/s640/IMG_6863.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNvTUvSbJ_ENJ2YZD0B1FT40jVgCEsLqq-w-ZUdAbnqZO-R2yGSEbsvWGnMD0WVdLH1r4KlkfNG5f5Yq03K2bYzO3lET4FRXFY_74l8H-RcgrxYec8IShJIzNvUEtBtDQPuffwTF5qk4/s1600/IMG_6877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNvTUvSbJ_ENJ2YZD0B1FT40jVgCEsLqq-w-ZUdAbnqZO-R2yGSEbsvWGnMD0WVdLH1r4KlkfNG5f5Yq03K2bYzO3lET4FRXFY_74l8H-RcgrxYec8IShJIzNvUEtBtDQPuffwTF5qk4/s640/IMG_6877.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKRCfmMVdCoMW0VzD9Me9sty8S4HVcompp5bTfS6FuHBLdcHalFngc5EExY8GpG5pyu5iLhU67DD5VwBlqh5Gf9_9wKVFpM1HBcj_CirRuR9hCILMCHwRGPoKSPZBzY1oL3Z8leOtbDk/s1600/IMG_6894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKRCfmMVdCoMW0VzD9Me9sty8S4HVcompp5bTfS6FuHBLdcHalFngc5EExY8GpG5pyu5iLhU67DD5VwBlqh5Gf9_9wKVFpM1HBcj_CirRuR9hCILMCHwRGPoKSPZBzY1oL3Z8leOtbDk/s640/IMG_6894.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxksLUyZVVh9bIRuwgNWQMTjoqIW-G-vT5cuW_RBoawqt7IyTFtC3EXt-042rBKClUtlP7IUDR8xa7Xyz5MisGPjL5NemLxPXVMNwLTnq0BJafXinllAklDhyGZw3CwgtuZIeQF9YtiQ/s1600/IMG_6915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxksLUyZVVh9bIRuwgNWQMTjoqIW-G-vT5cuW_RBoawqt7IyTFtC3EXt-042rBKClUtlP7IUDR8xa7Xyz5MisGPjL5NemLxPXVMNwLTnq0BJafXinllAklDhyGZw3CwgtuZIeQF9YtiQ/s640/IMG_6915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH21fY_JMn5EncdC1K1jGB3wE0XSdpctb6jLlksnowCLtQToTiBG-Dnrtqu2A6XCPtaNEbmZIcxqpc8tq34uPvcmbcfGi1KyNmrZKfeqgBctsGgQVRBCbDsab-5EW4MmyT5s2Q-dogsYg/s1600/IMG_6918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH21fY_JMn5EncdC1K1jGB3wE0XSdpctb6jLlksnowCLtQToTiBG-Dnrtqu2A6XCPtaNEbmZIcxqpc8tq34uPvcmbcfGi1KyNmrZKfeqgBctsGgQVRBCbDsab-5EW4MmyT5s2Q-dogsYg/s640/IMG_6918.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_btc-GRvwCNrV7pqUlNzH-PJwF9NJkJNfLNF6_Qg_U2RhNhcJUE_AEAp6R-bsVpQl3ybEIh-teYhjJNCqy04vw-kwzER5hTE6TCKfLBPXdDjKjOsSFBvGXem-4GSYc23yrlvr_DFzr4/s1600/IMG_6934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_btc-GRvwCNrV7pqUlNzH-PJwF9NJkJNfLNF6_Qg_U2RhNhcJUE_AEAp6R-bsVpQl3ybEIh-teYhjJNCqy04vw-kwzER5hTE6TCKfLBPXdDjKjOsSFBvGXem-4GSYc23yrlvr_DFzr4/s640/IMG_6934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
XOXO<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-46076694642860090752013-09-17T17:12:00.004-04:002013-09-17T17:12:35.576-04:00A moment I would relive--<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Day 11 of </span><a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Blogtember</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> is simply</span><i style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> a memory you'd love to relive.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></i>
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/386102_2575163454139_1118967005_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I'd love to relive this memory for the simple reason that we all had a blast. Its not often all my siblings get together for an actual night out full of yummy adult drinks, great music and dancing. This was also my first time out for a drink after having Levi, so 10 months with no alcohol and I was <i>very</i> ready to relax.<br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386590_2575169334286_1115117543_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/309766_2575160854074_776077193_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/381014_2575157453989_2091346239_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/387974_2575155453939_869488020_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/383067_2575153693895_1840100691_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This just inspired me to go ahead and plan a night out with all my siblings and their significant others. I guess its a good thing Josh has a Birthday coming up! Siblings are the only friends you need.<br />
<br />
Missed my little sister this night though. Maybe next time! :)<br />
XO<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html">
<img border="0" src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m553/jennilu07/Blogtember200_zps4672ae9b.png" />
</a></center>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-30180381583413339202013-09-16T09:47:00.002-04:002013-09-16T09:48:03.732-04:00<b style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Monday, September 16: </b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn't necessarily need to be romantic.)</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html">
<img border="0" src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m553/jennilu07/Blogtember200_zps4672ae9b.png" />
</a></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a little late on this train, but am jumping on today!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<img height="426" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/999835_10151746145272489_122909477_n.jpg" width="640" /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Public Love Letter...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dear Little Man,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned so much in these almost 2 years from you than I have in my almost 25 years of living. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You taught me what real love is, how to love selflessly, and what it feels like to have my heart feel incredibly full that when you smile at me and say "mama" it may just burst! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember meeting you for the first time and feeling so complete, whole and fulfilled. Who knew I could love someone as much as I loved Daddy at that moment? The love I had for you when I met you on October 8, 2011 was instant, gratifying and I knew my life was changed forever.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You taught me how to be a Mom. A role I always, always knew I would love to have. I've learned how to change a diaper, how to soothe a crying, teething baby, which as a first time mom can be very terrifying! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned that you love to fall asleep with your cheek on mine, and for a while when you were younger that was the only way you would sleep. This made my heart feel like it was going to burst again. The fact that I was the one to sweep you off into your dreams every night was truly a blessing.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned that Daddy is truly the only one who can make you laugh the hardest. He can get a giggle out of you that I never could. There is nothing better in this world than watching my Husband and my baby being so happy and connected.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have taught me patience. You were born with a temperament that is very much your Mommy and Daddy. You are so <i>chill </i>and calm. You have done everything on your own time, and I have gone through your life worrying for a bit, then you always show up, always put my worries at ease. You've taught me to just embrace your chill attitude and maybe be calmer myself, and just live.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are the light in my life, truly. You can turn any bad day into a good one. You bring perspective to me when I need it most. You know when Mommy wants cuddles and when Mommy just needs a quiet moment. That is why I know you are such a gift to me. You get me, you get Daddy and you are such a joy to be around. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From your little toes to your squeezable cheeks, I know you like kisses and tickles all over. And I promise to do this every chance I get.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have taught me that simple moments are the best ones. The ones that my camera misses, the ones that it is just you and I. Moments where you run up to me with a book and demand to sit in my lap while you secretly pinch my arm, then laugh are the best memories. They are small, little moments, but they make up us. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You teach me to really enjoy a song. The way you drop everything to get up and dance is inspiring. You don't let a good song get by without breaking it down.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have showed me over this past year that love can grow. You've proven to me that when I think I've loved to my greatest there is always more my heart can grow.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my public letter to you my dear Levi.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as your laughing and making faces at yourself in the stove, I am typing my feelings out to you. Because months will go by before I update your baby book, or think about writing you another letter.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my heart, my happiness and my world.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promise to be the best Mommy to you.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promise to never let you down.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promise to always encourage you to smell the flowers, read a good book, watch the sunset, and pray all the time.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I promise that Daddy and I will be the best examples we can for you.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love, Mommy</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-16590478169063703242013-09-15T13:30:00.000-04:002013-09-15T13:42:44.854-04:00The Sunday Currently<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKEZvX0I7aUU1_tYyBil3w0bjFZVEGEJBX_DdPfLdQnPWHoi3HX9fgLIPvQBWg-7oJO-ueS2OtQpOTk2uode_N2MFHD94oPqkfihRB21s2RYmoo_Taf-pQbiWmVEJL_JmduxAdAsFxn4/s1600/2013-09-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKEZvX0I7aUU1_tYyBil3w0bjFZVEGEJBX_DdPfLdQnPWHoi3HX9fgLIPvQBWg-7oJO-ueS2OtQpOTk2uode_N2MFHD94oPqkfihRB21s2RYmoo_Taf-pQbiWmVEJL_JmduxAdAsFxn4/s640/2013-09-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linking up today.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Currently...</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">READING</span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Nothing at the moment. Lots of stuff for school and about some Major Programs. I need to find a good book soon. Its been way too long, since I've had my hands on a good read.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WRITING</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">This post obviously. :) But In general I have been journaling a lot more lately. I used to write every day and then the life of being a Momma, wife and full time student kind of gets in the way. Journaling is a way to have me time, and also helps me take the incredibly jumbled, over-dramatic thoughts in my head and hash them out on paper. I always feel less stressed afterwards. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #444444;">LISTENING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">to Needtobreathe Radio on Pandora. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">THINKING</span><span style="color: purple;"> about my life a lot. I am excited to see where my photography will take me in the upcoming months, and even if it doesn't I still love it. I'm also thinking about getting school finished, and seeing Josh move forward in his career. I am also thinking about Levi and realizing he will be 2 in a few weeks, my time really does fly.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">SMELLING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">My hazelnut coffee and fresh air from the open windows. This is my favorite time of year, when Summer is leaving and Fall is approaching. What would make it even better right now is if someone had their fireplace burning. Best.Smell.Ever.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">WISHING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">Josh could get home sooner today, but he won't be home until late tonight. Its amazing how a few days apart makes you really miss your Husband. Kind of forgot what that felt like for a minute. ;)</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #444444;">HOPING</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">I can live my life without being so concerned about what other people think. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">WEARING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">Comfy sweatpants and Josh's t-shirt. Its one of those comfy days where you wake up and wear PJ's all day. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">LOVING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">The support I am receiving about my photography lately. I am by no means where I want to be, but It is amazing receiving feedback from people. I love that I love it, and that's all that matters. I love the challenge of learning more and taking better photos each time. I love that I can only improve rather than get worse. And I also love that my Husband tells me I should quit school and pursue it entirely, because it shows he really cares about what I want and is really encouraging. (But, I would never quit school-ya know me, always gotta have a back-up plan.)</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">WANTING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">To get my butt in shape. BEFORE winter gets here, and I will never have the motivation to do it. What happened to the days where I loved to run, loved to be in shape? I need to get that girl back.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">NEEDING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">to let go of control and LIVE my life. Regarding careers, fears,etc. I know it will all work out, because it always does. I need to stop wasting time stressing when I could be using that time to listen to God's plan for me, and make memories with my family. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444;">FEELING</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: purple;">sad that my baby boy is in pain right now. He's getting those last teeth and is snotty, feverish, miserable, and has a really hard time napping or sleeping period. He seems fine and happy until its time to go night-night, which has never been an issue except for when those 15 month molars came in. Hoping he feels better soon..</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">CLICKING </span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Lots of boards on Pinterest to get some more ideas for Levi's Birthday Party coming up! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am looking forward to a busy week ahead. Not because its Josh's long week to work, or because I have classes-but because I will choose to live for me, and choose to be happy. I will make extra time with Levi, teaching him and working on that core haha. (He is still needing to strengthen it, you would think walking around with the Buddah Belly would do the trick ;)) I will choose to read passages in my Bible a few mornings this week. And I will get my butt running. I will stress less and pray more. I will eat better than worse. I will have a date night with my Husband. And I will keep practicing my camera.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">XO Have a good week lovelies.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-65129162173381764442013-09-13T22:27:00.001-04:002013-09-13T22:56:35.323-04:00Newborn Photos of Baby Giovan.Recently I had the privilege of taking Newborn Photos for my good friend Abigail and her growing family. I have known this woman since the 4th grade, and throughout the years we have kept in touch. Our lives have changed for the better since being roomies almost 4 years ago. We both found our true loves, married them and started families. We both had boys about 9 months apart, and Abigail beat me to the next one ;) She and Eduardo welcomed <u>Giovan Eduardo Colon</u> to their family a few weeks ago, and the love they have in their home is truly inspiring. Eduardo and Abigail are quite the team juggling a toddler and a newborn, but they do it with such ease. Emilio is also quite the big brother. Shhh-ing in his baby's brother ear, or even jumping on the bed while Giovan is snuggled up! :) Either way, he loves him so much, and you can tell his heart just got bigger. I can't wait to see this family continue to grow and their bond continue to inspire me. Here is a collection of their photos! Enjoy!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Be601s7trAwZ1qssn1aoKq59ZLbUbGm9YKCt8gxUeohBCcsZPV0-5N6oBy7fBRJaT_qQjHJ2tBteIm-EvI6jl67Yygbv5qAlvsz7UGM3n-RC3GV1sSrjvooINLvZTYf6nnske4O91NM/s1600/Abi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Be601s7trAwZ1qssn1aoKq59ZLbUbGm9YKCt8gxUeohBCcsZPV0-5N6oBy7fBRJaT_qQjHJ2tBteIm-EvI6jl67Yygbv5qAlvsz7UGM3n-RC3GV1sSrjvooINLvZTYf6nnske4O91NM/s640/Abi1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxbtCB2tK3j00Hj0BsNEnI2KDr8W1YXRwBGacU1T2kmyiVpqVABT68iTfcNcjaTTSAOYNanr5cdA0wVeUJUbEVM0pQXr4fbFUOhsl5s5A2E0pKeb08NgwrnE8rtPWnm4I4TxEh0wC9nw/s1600/Abi4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxbtCB2tK3j00Hj0BsNEnI2KDr8W1YXRwBGacU1T2kmyiVpqVABT68iTfcNcjaTTSAOYNanr5cdA0wVeUJUbEVM0pQXr4fbFUOhsl5s5A2E0pKeb08NgwrnE8rtPWnm4I4TxEh0wC9nw/s640/Abi4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOuk2fafy_c13Womit_FXltVKaKOoJtTSXzKbChq6pqWx6OiRGAWbXW3EJjCY4KDjb0f2DjmTtti5xCDfqpsET0yoDP_cF8-e6Iw7qp8OCi3c2jYoqNlp02_xQ2F2FYmCvbxbdLLG8ko/s1600/Abi25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOuk2fafy_c13Womit_FXltVKaKOoJtTSXzKbChq6pqWx6OiRGAWbXW3EJjCY4KDjb0f2DjmTtti5xCDfqpsET0yoDP_cF8-e6Iw7qp8OCi3c2jYoqNlp02_xQ2F2FYmCvbxbdLLG8ko/s640/Abi25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtPtmWyg8jbQ8P11fyCrIDLmTPYouHdb2L3yB6oNwNAu6Bq-Jebao_vvJEMTyWzbx4moVwF2qW9sUJqGaCnwbiT5mzxJCUdAkAogFPM7Bb8rRcPcqz2RTMlCwLtk0wDJk8Qx0GH_kAmM/s1600/Abi30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtPtmWyg8jbQ8P11fyCrIDLmTPYouHdb2L3yB6oNwNAu6Bq-Jebao_vvJEMTyWzbx4moVwF2qW9sUJqGaCnwbiT5mzxJCUdAkAogFPM7Bb8rRcPcqz2RTMlCwLtk0wDJk8Qx0GH_kAmM/s640/Abi30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lh6VPx1jIBJuFx0n4SpfzW5tz2Y_Wu51Detndm6VZ9nDpamPmWywTs5iEleOPz9Jsvlw6-pYHmPcGauhJP1Y1PZmSMKHxKFGM8Lt2O0NJiJCKGRAvdjhvfFmRxa_psfGe5nb5Q_38YQ/s1600/Abi31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lh6VPx1jIBJuFx0n4SpfzW5tz2Y_Wu51Detndm6VZ9nDpamPmWywTs5iEleOPz9Jsvlw6-pYHmPcGauhJP1Y1PZmSMKHxKFGM8Lt2O0NJiJCKGRAvdjhvfFmRxa_psfGe5nb5Q_38YQ/s640/Abi31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZmgQ2rX2TCvUjUu-YKLFk6XyHqB2SLADQUALZ4BPKW-2jRn4eQPffQ08U1J26GYKYVJkvZ8UOiRLkJknQfeWfdqVRnKKMG4o1Zv-fJxX-q4R-TiYhUF0oO4d0VBW-Ex8rfmjmO7rLdQ/s1600/Abi44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZmgQ2rX2TCvUjUu-YKLFk6XyHqB2SLADQUALZ4BPKW-2jRn4eQPffQ08U1J26GYKYVJkvZ8UOiRLkJknQfeWfdqVRnKKMG4o1Zv-fJxX-q4R-TiYhUF0oO4d0VBW-Ex8rfmjmO7rLdQ/s640/Abi44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONKsoVgn_DSDfuiLBeOlLBXe-PvuBv4u0bnV2ONoXIvykJH4jjbEaIK5rwR2ecnTObrMCsstXYYivC19AM-fsr9O4RfuKgUozBfAnFZwlgKNLpfeRY8EO9pyo5YtWJ5WyWAAvCiqmaZk/s1600/Finished1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONKsoVgn_DSDfuiLBeOlLBXe-PvuBv4u0bnV2ONoXIvykJH4jjbEaIK5rwR2ecnTObrMCsstXYYivC19AM-fsr9O4RfuKgUozBfAnFZwlgKNLpfeRY8EO9pyo5YtWJ5WyWAAvCiqmaZk/s640/Finished1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z8KXYvV3qkKnUtlfzw0sKP6y2bPIgWgZGXJzBC322y5VlSpEBBAKn8ogSJijDNinWHKEiC6NFpFn_NRuaupw5xpeP44SJznThbrzv6FElLRXHWd_lXdqzQs72uSNlrMP_h8dVNYcSjw/s1600/Finished2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z8KXYvV3qkKnUtlfzw0sKP6y2bPIgWgZGXJzBC322y5VlSpEBBAKn8ogSJijDNinWHKEiC6NFpFn_NRuaupw5xpeP44SJznThbrzv6FElLRXHWd_lXdqzQs72uSNlrMP_h8dVNYcSjw/s640/Finished2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkJJvtAin7sI8yQu1dx9bD8oWW1adS37FbAVhP8Ty24naLR6iul2lIRPx3lXTYgJKIj6dI-uWUiTDu1JOWpFkpPcKD_gN3kQ9QJ1yUCXUt34vwg78wM2FdQH7QbfV7iYlpsscFSegTs/s1600/Finished3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCxfRoln7xdl91jFDkWTAWcmSvJjDIFL5YC-NcKJ_2QVYkmuocdIGPzqpIxF_7q7GEbGmX5k0RVbwvPKGT4a_fqNCwxLWWM2t4Eu_hjCRxfz84F_ANoRqOmFzcrLVlfyJ4BkWe3pSevo/s1600/Finished4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCxfRoln7xdl91jFDkWTAWcmSvJjDIFL5YC-NcKJ_2QVYkmuocdIGPzqpIxF_7q7GEbGmX5k0RVbwvPKGT4a_fqNCwxLWWM2t4Eu_hjCRxfz84F_ANoRqOmFzcrLVlfyJ4BkWe3pSevo/s640/Finished4.jpg" width="640" /></a><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkJJvtAin7sI8yQu1dx9bD8oWW1adS37FbAVhP8Ty24naLR6iul2lIRPx3lXTYgJKIj6dI-uWUiTDu1JOWpFkpPcKD_gN3kQ9QJ1yUCXUt34vwg78wM2FdQH7QbfV7iYlpsscFSegTs/s640/Finished3.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs-XgVvVzhOv1AL6CYllA2k2TV_AU5plNkQxxB-nThU6cSjs7XFgFT8B0rifa80f6AOcGaa4oWkw6ymFtLUVT-X5xbKqiLRCKjacrEOfFmcATXFMuNUauEZv8AB0kp5HGZyO8dMwpEz4/s1600/Finished5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs-XgVvVzhOv1AL6CYllA2k2TV_AU5plNkQxxB-nThU6cSjs7XFgFT8B0rifa80f6AOcGaa4oWkw6ymFtLUVT-X5xbKqiLRCKjacrEOfFmcATXFMuNUauEZv8AB0kp5HGZyO8dMwpEz4/s640/Finished5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8ADLsxHb4BDDQXoneyyhdC4z7fSeyWxN9QlikMt8zZfD1-PE1LQlWyOxxoydYf1KKb4yeGEM3og3Fz6NV994yplTXdXuju7I0R9SQqSr81THNYWJCiLgV1hdHOc24k9y6YIP0IecRLQ/s1600/Finished6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8ADLsxHb4BDDQXoneyyhdC4z7fSeyWxN9QlikMt8zZfD1-PE1LQlWyOxxoydYf1KKb4yeGEM3og3Fz6NV994yplTXdXuju7I0R9SQqSr81THNYWJCiLgV1hdHOc24k9y6YIP0IecRLQ/s640/Finished6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4e21LmLcqbdy0yz_XTVEAGlJKPwzX2Z5eQ7mIetUrMmhP7PbW5YDxbxuOulpUNbBnr-n9Gu8IfVlLXdfiBolEVKGwsD6Wtx0i1RunzzP1emQo6oDdkWceT1HxBFshUncdMMwdJqCiqg/s1600/Finished7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4e21LmLcqbdy0yz_XTVEAGlJKPwzX2Z5eQ7mIetUrMmhP7PbW5YDxbxuOulpUNbBnr-n9Gu8IfVlLXdfiBolEVKGwsD6Wtx0i1RunzzP1emQo6oDdkWceT1HxBFshUncdMMwdJqCiqg/s640/Finished7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3NvVdbx128vcBR1NOyswyzIzwUAVzkfwunEO_6g7Q2KiDa6XF6XdZzApFLWUVsce2LQAlcyUjaZb3FHVWnDT8Zycc70ltQjDzaCFeOpxfRSJCNIU1PW1qgl0Ry_RvFXKAQhky4cDM8M/s1600/Finished8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3NvVdbx128vcBR1NOyswyzIzwUAVzkfwunEO_6g7Q2KiDa6XF6XdZzApFLWUVsce2LQAlcyUjaZb3FHVWnDT8Zycc70ltQjDzaCFeOpxfRSJCNIU1PW1qgl0Ry_RvFXKAQhky4cDM8M/s640/Finished8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lDOOOckVhx1b_cryaxDJ_E-3G8BsNGIjxLOcoeqq49VMCQSMG8nJjsWJ6WWyXr-9GSU0r-dULYdQTeb92Y2Ni9GhqizRrboqgzaXaNypV_CvLaqE8Z_30RKa8PilRzbzYknvh635SwY/s1600/Finished9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lDOOOckVhx1b_cryaxDJ_E-3G8BsNGIjxLOcoeqq49VMCQSMG8nJjsWJ6WWyXr-9GSU0r-dULYdQTeb92Y2Ni9GhqizRrboqgzaXaNypV_CvLaqE8Z_30RKa8PilRzbzYknvh635SwY/s640/Finished9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tzsWehlk0uCmRafi16K6pbmnuemUdTDBy8iikg62lG9n2EiSIhxOt6JR3NOSdIQVj4_XrP6rRUwWtILaHZEhWeydy0hMD74HAFLUadSx9E0B5kuH_kaM9Kxla6RcalcUurBwDuofZdo/s1600/Finished10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tzsWehlk0uCmRafi16K6pbmnuemUdTDBy8iikg62lG9n2EiSIhxOt6JR3NOSdIQVj4_XrP6rRUwWtILaHZEhWeydy0hMD74HAFLUadSx9E0B5kuH_kaM9Kxla6RcalcUurBwDuofZdo/s640/Finished10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92kkXUpe4XIb1N7F83SECPvN14yv3c6MrRRwXHP1GTprQvszfNVvMOG4_svGbi6S-ZgPLPP9qhojo_vqyldCbUSzr0moQQnEkRjPiScjpHLlqavFiGGVNxgZtz-noUlmkKtuu45pPpSQ/s1600/Finished11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92kkXUpe4XIb1N7F83SECPvN14yv3c6MrRRwXHP1GTprQvszfNVvMOG4_svGbi6S-ZgPLPP9qhojo_vqyldCbUSzr0moQQnEkRjPiScjpHLlqavFiGGVNxgZtz-noUlmkKtuu45pPpSQ/s640/Finished11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXygAHyHEyhgncIAWIh99K44eD5XfSpxlKWCKYSsCXpM1nkjibrVGbhid8mQ8lJuWWzyDoRTu9d3uvrh-eFk4R06cHgh_xuDG2qn1y8z5jjoT70KVXGHANP3nOrAn6gIbQ68gH-FBu_Do/s1600/Finished12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXygAHyHEyhgncIAWIh99K44eD5XfSpxlKWCKYSsCXpM1nkjibrVGbhid8mQ8lJuWWzyDoRTu9d3uvrh-eFk4R06cHgh_xuDG2qn1y8z5jjoT70KVXGHANP3nOrAn6gIbQ68gH-FBu_Do/s640/Finished12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnD2ObxH1u6VNoyNQJ7QFSHdyOWsSAbE5Fvhe3MvOzfxnJprC7sLDb0Q_o_MactZXcSloQt3NOwAnga48yCi8do7BrE1DAdPTk-wDPfsSeYMmBpJy0Yo85yN6LKk99LmZjv_e6H2xopM/s1600/Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnD2ObxH1u6VNoyNQJ7QFSHdyOWsSAbE5Fvhe3MvOzfxnJprC7sLDb0Q_o_MactZXcSloQt3NOwAnga48yCi8do7BrE1DAdPTk-wDPfsSeYMmBpJy0Yo85yN6LKk99LmZjv_e6H2xopM/s640/Finished.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoJxqyQ6Sj9Uu5I4KQES6FDqHa3GGkKyyxC7OJjGBQ0Rkm0UgEXE2T11JeySkpvBx1X_FK_VHgmafzDNoqzdoH6N46gxeCyq_h6izHv5U6ZSMLsnA4_60F0iU7l7Z0u5s8gPENX45y-E/s1600/Abi17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoJxqyQ6Sj9Uu5I4KQES6FDqHa3GGkKyyxC7OJjGBQ0Rkm0UgEXE2T11JeySkpvBx1X_FK_VHgmafzDNoqzdoH6N46gxeCyq_h6izHv5U6ZSMLsnA4_60F0iU7l7Z0u5s8gPENX45y-E/s640/Abi17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And my favorite...</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8LX_60N6kUH9xZZEUv4Z1APMiE14qKgOmIpBpxZJhH0IIfe9o21lWaqsainCkk8oQm12fHTJOl66KrdDzcAsTxvo1ZFekVgVd6egIi-EFhPjHLB1XFmtY6fCAQG-g6y7GQjT8epx518/s1600/Abi73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8LX_60N6kUH9xZZEUv4Z1APMiE14qKgOmIpBpxZJhH0IIfe9o21lWaqsainCkk8oQm12fHTJOl66KrdDzcAsTxvo1ZFekVgVd6egIi-EFhPjHLB1XFmtY6fCAQG-g6y7GQjT8epx518/s640/Abi73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love you guys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
XO</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-73496445533232189792013-09-11T13:55:00.003-04:002013-09-11T13:55:47.151-04:00Their days didn't just go on.(My reflection on 9/11)I remember being in my Science classroom in 7th grade as I noticed all the teachers whispering and crying, students being asked to come down to the office because their parents were anxiously waiting to take them home. At that age I couldn't really grasp what actually happened. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It wasn't until I went home and saw the news that I became terrified.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>But the days went on</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And soon some of us didn't think about that event anymore until the first anniversary of 9/11.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our country mourned for the loved ones that were lost by so many. We sang patriotic songs to express the pride we had in being American Citizens. We held memorials for those whose lives were taken.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>But the days went on.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today is the 12th Anniversary of 9/11. Being 24 years old, with a family of my own, this day is strikingly heart breaking for me. What is so blatantly obvious to me now is, the days didn't just <i>go on</i> for those who lost loved ones. Those wives who slept next to Heroes every night, no longer had anyone to keep them warm, or roll over and whisper I love you to. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those Husbands who lost their wives, no longer had their best friend, the Mother of their children, and the rock in their family. The days, months and years since this tragedy have not just <i>gone on</i>. Not for those whose lives were shaken up and forever changed that day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We may post pictures that say 'Never Forget', but we can't just remember on one day of the year. Our prayers need be said every day for those who lost their life because of the evil in this world, and those who died putting a stranger's life before their own. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our hearts should break every day for the tragedies in this world, not just on the anniversary that the event took place. My world would be absolutely shattered if I lost my Husband or my Son. My days would never<i> go on</i>. I would struggle every day to live my life. I would have a hole in my heart that could never again be filled. I can't even imagine what living would feel like. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tragedies such as 9/11 aren't ones to just sit back and watch videos, listen to documentaries- just one day out of the year, but every day we should be on our knees. On our knees thanking God that we weren't one of those wives or husbands who dramatically left this world. We should praise God that we have not had to experience such a loss that leaves our world in shambles. Instead, think of these people every day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pray for their families on a sunny day, a rainy day, at Christmas time, on a child's birthday, on Mother's Day and Father's Day, on Tuesday not just Sunday.These are the times the families need prayer the most.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pray for the kids who are growing up without their Father or Mother. The little boys who don't have someone to teach them how to throw a baseball. Or the little girls who don't have someone to play dress up with. Pray for the Mommies who were expecting, that never got to share the moment of bringing a life into this world with their Husbands.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most importantly pray for the people who did this to our country and our loved ones, and pray that maybe, just maybe God can change their hearts and create peace on this Earth. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Never forget, not just today, but every day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XO</div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-76360921900952550462013-09-07T14:53:00.003-04:002013-09-07T14:53:52.127-04:00Oh hey, its been a while.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do recall my last post was about catching up with where i've been-well I guess this post will be the same?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry guys. Its cool I don't really know who reads this or if anyone cares that I took a super delayed blogging break, but I do care to catch up and jump back into a cup of Hope.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay. SO. My last post was about my Grandpa's Memorial, and a lot has happened since. So we can catch up on some highlights eh? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took a weekend Camping Trip that involved lots of whiskey, cheap beer, canoes, rope swings, good friends, and lots of mosquitoes. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><img alt="1000247_10151823566852489_893782127_n.jpg" height="426" src="webkit-fake-url://215BD0E2-5EFB-4600-AE9A-37CB43B29947/1000247_10151823566852489_893782127_n.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="1157458_10151816012887489_2046551174_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://DCE8AE16-D8BF-4DED-BB2D-247816F1D4CE/1157458_10151816012887489_2046551174_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="946349_10151818673292489_1603928693_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://AAB87B26-B70A-452B-B2BA-84C72763DBBC/946349_10151818673292489_1603928693_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><img alt="13584_10151820723682489_102798222_n.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://86DC37EC-FB14-4922-BCC3-E35EED659B63/13584_10151820723682489_102798222_n.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="21437_10151816563162489_1748185202_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://3063E640-7E0D-495A-BCD0-F4B252DAB0F5/21437_10151816563162489_1748185202_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><img alt="998768_10151816015472489_1133108357_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://772C1240-B274-48AF-B648-938BD83B8072/998768_10151816015472489_1133108357_n.jpg" width="640" /></span>One of best friends had her second baby boy, Giovan. :) We had her maternity pictures planned and the day of, she texted me that she was going to have a C-Section the next day! So we didn't end up doing a maternity session. With her having the babes 4 weeks early, I asked many questions, but she was fine and so was baby boy. That next day Giovan came into this big world and was perfect. I got to do some hospital pictures when he was 1 day young, and they turned out great!</span></div>
</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOABB3Yvl1gGnfEhAuGsjOd37VMyb1khf0dqQywJKC076tHZnruL5E2_Vogx_CWkWbJ9m6oHeC4U4rGzhL-trK_ADJQbDrmoUiCCFCul6TzV65zDiBMbu2Hlk3eV9lrLMU2_vuLejPczk/s1600/IMG_5969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOABB3Yvl1gGnfEhAuGsjOd37VMyb1khf0dqQywJKC076tHZnruL5E2_Vogx_CWkWbJ9m6oHeC4U4rGzhL-trK_ADJQbDrmoUiCCFCul6TzV65zDiBMbu2Hlk3eV9lrLMU2_vuLejPczk/s640/IMG_5969.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9EMFwa21A3-o-7Am0NBnXyIVGetAKrwRQmIgzw86dAOqCPPhVqhdiilbHpZlekWJLH9qIwWV_t_EJLuCYFMDaZQn493cX1S34tRWjS73F2ntgAJDSPGRtS_0N7NhWv9EOo9bonqONZU/s1600/IMG_5815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9EMFwa21A3-o-7Am0NBnXyIVGetAKrwRQmIgzw86dAOqCPPhVqhdiilbHpZlekWJLH9qIwWV_t_EJLuCYFMDaZQn493cX1S34tRWjS73F2ntgAJDSPGRtS_0N7NhWv9EOo9bonqONZU/s640/IMG_5815.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q1CgHVVg7dnBh6y4kjUj4j_USQYwwEXDgeWHjRG4PRe9EDi4NlFnyL8c9ccPkxOEeKSme6U07ePKxHfAzyBpeNo2ZzJTBZqqYcKH1Nsjn6cbvICaU0ylVOSyb1qDKOeYbQflT-7lHnI/s1600/IMG_5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q1CgHVVg7dnBh6y4kjUj4j_USQYwwEXDgeWHjRG4PRe9EDi4NlFnyL8c9ccPkxOEeKSme6U07ePKxHfAzyBpeNo2ZzJTBZqqYcKH1Nsjn6cbvICaU0ylVOSyb1qDKOeYbQflT-7lHnI/s640/IMG_5854.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiQ_fwuswypQtFZv_f3Ys4wyf1_LO-gzYuoBbtOub6WGekWWpSoXZaa5lRk2UtryqR4WdBHlfdqgpw66G_bg6cpTqC-rocZEVI891Wy1Xi5oQphyphenhyphenZQZNZ9n-jYmPaXhcRDc6BlBTsDDk/s1600/IMG_5873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiQ_fwuswypQtFZv_f3Ys4wyf1_LO-gzYuoBbtOub6WGekWWpSoXZaa5lRk2UtryqR4WdBHlfdqgpw66G_bg6cpTqC-rocZEVI891Wy1Xi5oQphyphenhyphenZQZNZ9n-jYmPaXhcRDc6BlBTsDDk/s640/IMG_5873.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb-lFPIIfcz6vpmIUY6fuJtbw9RfLOT-3OTh9SgPkpIcfzzBpU8cfcMqloZDFzxttgn_1XHubi2GMoSQO3fr5bszjCcWr3Mk55RsRxBJjgXDvHmAbv7v2tnea0ahmLyNA0WpzxWjTsgg/s1600/IMG_5913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb-lFPIIfcz6vpmIUY6fuJtbw9RfLOT-3OTh9SgPkpIcfzzBpU8cfcMqloZDFzxttgn_1XHubi2GMoSQO3fr5bszjCcWr3Mk55RsRxBJjgXDvHmAbv7v2tnea0ahmLyNA0WpzxWjTsgg/s640/IMG_5913.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4VB0gLpMvOLAhNOqBM6yGBPL6xHalAy2cnQuRKptC2zqNb9M-GLCdJ4rXLKaBR0J6HplVpW7OqDgcJ0ehQbehKV9AtdwpgrkNfOPkWalWPdEoRcbSski_n5-HvA_Ge14nQgBnKmS2TU/s1600/IMG_5920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4VB0gLpMvOLAhNOqBM6yGBPL6xHalAy2cnQuRKptC2zqNb9M-GLCdJ4rXLKaBR0J6HplVpW7OqDgcJ0ehQbehKV9AtdwpgrkNfOPkWalWPdEoRcbSski_n5-HvA_Ge14nQgBnKmS2TU/s640/IMG_5920.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisr8VIX44v3_nZ2Ltu0Rp8r96v2dHeLWSg6w-la9gleWWMNd27vyI9Q0jJx2V6858CLEvs7tlSWCYyDrSIROsG0_NcjWc53CclhZ0pD6JmrRQQQrNkFcMusuz-IYoedFZBqv34E865Y8/s1600/IMG_5927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisr8VIX44v3_nZ2Ltu0Rp8r96v2dHeLWSg6w-la9gleWWMNd27vyI9Q0jJx2V6858CLEvs7tlSWCYyDrSIROsG0_NcjWc53CclhZ0pD6JmrRQQQrNkFcMusuz-IYoedFZBqv34E865Y8/s640/IMG_5927.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNYJuy1nf7QmMXFnrzGDqS6vgiAKVYgbdKtKlhO4MaugFtv-fFKX2KDIGSLYTTxADFTtF-fP5q0xmT7SxFFnLdl4-eJ0NytkaB91Ih80ztwR6_WVQrj4bJdg6Cayvek3mzzXJV2rCrE8/s1600/IMG_5936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNYJuy1nf7QmMXFnrzGDqS6vgiAKVYgbdKtKlhO4MaugFtv-fFKX2KDIGSLYTTxADFTtF-fP5q0xmT7SxFFnLdl4-eJ0NytkaB91Ih80ztwR6_WVQrj4bJdg6Cayvek3mzzXJV2rCrE8/s640/IMG_5936.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo3DUWuzj7ceTvBTNId11pCisLtOTDmGZKJC1RfOninvHNM4FIEqNYLXTaHeOfnn-OYwSH25UsIXA0nRgF9B84izJX8N8DiuBKOLcEWWo1did-qa-f6WIo5Qa9OBD_pRd_Ztw3w8tSc4/s1600/IMG_5989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo3DUWuzj7ceTvBTNId11pCisLtOTDmGZKJC1RfOninvHNM4FIEqNYLXTaHeOfnn-OYwSH25UsIXA0nRgF9B84izJX8N8DiuBKOLcEWWo1did-qa-f6WIo5Qa9OBD_pRd_Ztw3w8tSc4/s640/IMG_5989.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKsL719fbWOuK1hEzZbWWsRagSnXDF1CV6vCst7rB-PnMa0fryitpKzUU9GBMDZu-Gqb_A1FchHjZdNDRLbB6AdJ2WQEEZHUSn1zOJyuW3iSoXntJwV31YB3JpwG6f8pX6XwpEEAcnPg/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKsL719fbWOuK1hEzZbWWsRagSnXDF1CV6vCst7rB-PnMa0fryitpKzUU9GBMDZu-Gqb_A1FchHjZdNDRLbB6AdJ2WQEEZHUSn1zOJyuW3iSoXntJwV31YB3JpwG6f8pX6XwpEEAcnPg/s640/IMG_5988.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-uRKzMyjuys8jTeCkuoiNd85OOuesUtghaSRtlOvaPPYb7IxHg10b6tbsJg7uLlNkpNTlnOq1zLHwSotz9J0ZiF20j8S_2IXBuvZUGI1sOr9XZFn326Eh3Xx_rKSZuCyJ4IEgx04-jY/s1600/IMG_6005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-uRKzMyjuys8jTeCkuoiNd85OOuesUtghaSRtlOvaPPYb7IxHg10b6tbsJg7uLlNkpNTlnOq1zLHwSotz9J0ZiF20j8S_2IXBuvZUGI1sOr9XZFn326Eh3Xx_rKSZuCyJ4IEgx04-jY/s640/IMG_6005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seriously, did Abi really just have a baby? Too pretty to be 1 day post-pardum.</div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also went back to OSU. Basically I'm waddling between two different majors at OSU because one of the programs is VERY competitive. And I'm honestly comfortable at this point with any degree. We won't get into the whole "I hate my life because I'm almost 25 with no degree lalala" speech. I'm ready to be done and done.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't the only one who went back to school. My sweet little handsome started school too. Its for the program Help Me Grow, and since he was a late walker and qualified for services, he qualified for school too! Obviously he's been walking now for months but since it was less than a year ago that he received his first services we are good to keep him in school until he's three. Awesome, huh? He goes 2.5 hours Mon-Thurs in the mornings. Its a legit school, with classrooms that have tons of toys, learning games, a toddler playground in the back, and little potties that they introduce to the kids. Its amazing. I'm happy we have this opportunity to get Levi playing with other kids and learning. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="1235913_10151867675527489_2089594748_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://4670758D-2634-4454-97EE-0535B36A11DC/1235913_10151867675527489_2089594748_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="530484_10151867676032489_1684851931_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://2FADA2F1-7D56-4224-8448-D7C697D42287/530484_10151867676032489_1684851931_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="1185656_10151867707627489_1317422752_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://6F0AB801-0628-4B01-8605-4E960C7D52E9/1185656_10151867707627489_1317422752_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These were Camera Phone pictures, so sorry for the awful quality, but I did not have time to break out the Canon with an already rushed morning.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So school for Levi is going well. He's been there a week so far. The worst part is leaving him, he gets pretty sad. So I distract him then have to sneak out which makes me feel worse. His teachers say throughout his time there he gets teary eyed a few times. And knowing Levi, he never cries. So its obvious that he misses us. Which breaks my heart, but I know its good for him. He is a Mama's boy that's for sure. But its hard to balance coddling him too much and letting him experience the separation, because I don't like to see my baby sad that I'm leaving. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have been planning Levi's SECOND birthday party. Holy Moly has time flown by. This past year, my baby has grown into himself so much. He is still a shorty pants (Sorry for the genes Bubba) and has such a personality. He is goofy, cracks up at himself, fake cries all with a little grin, is such a cuddler, loves his mommy, loves his daddy being the tickle monster, loves to DRIBBLE a soccer ball (proud mama over here), loves ALL veggies, fruits, meat etc, Loves to scream "outside" and just be outdoors in general, his language has grown leaps and bounds over the past few months, he is comprehending everything, he is quite the problem solver, super clumsy (once again, sorry for those genes honey), still sleeps 12 hours every night, still takes a solid 3 hour nap for me, loves loves to dance, and sing Twinkle Twinkle, You are my Sunshine, No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!, and the Itsy, Bitsy Spider. If he hurts himself, instead of tears he runs up to you and if you kiss his boo boo he is a happy camper. He is shy like his Daddy, but warms up to you in minutes. He is also the happiest toddler so far. No temper tantrums yet, and honestly (knock on wood) he is such an easy going kid that I'm not sure if its in his nature to throw one. We will see though, he has been pinching lately. But he will kiss you right away if you say "Be nice". The list could go on people. I am so incredibly proud of my boy. He is going to be an amazing man someday, just like his Daddy.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My inner DIY is shining through planning his party. It is an outdoor "By the Campfire" theme-perfect for his Fall birthday. I am excited, lots of fun stuff planned. Josh, Levi and I all have birthdays the same week, so it will be an exciting one that's for sure!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="1239774_10151873169477489_1409545529_n.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://FEF45F9F-C762-4184-AC36-241C87B781E2/1239774_10151873169477489_1409545529_n.jpg" /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now its time to go watch the Buckeye game with my family. And I promise to not overload you all in a post again, by not writing for another month. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<img alt="1185163_10151876281107489_1328336961_n.jpg" height="640" src="webkit-fake-url://C2B87A2C-49CE-441E-8940-722700C6344A/1185163_10151876281107489_1328336961_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
XO</div>
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-13392124107360885572013-08-07T12:59:00.000-04:002013-08-07T12:59:08.520-04:00Where I've Been...I took a little break from blogging, mostly because I've been pretty busy since the end of Summer is quickly approaching. I've tried to get my classes all in order for school, and get in the mindset of not being with my little man every. day. of. the. week. Its a little sad. But its good his Daddy's job will allow him to be home the days I am in class. For that I am blessed. And it is enough for me to stop dreading about school and look at the positives. In my next life-I will attend a University right out of High School and get this <i>ish</i> over and done with before the man of my dreams and a baby pop in to surprise me.<br />
<br />
So a recap of where I've been: We have seen lots of family near and far lately. My Grandpa's Memorial was a success. Easy, not a huge tear fest. It was more directed to the wonderful life he and my Grandma lived, and how we were all affected in the best way possible. I loved hearing about his days playing baseball, and his dreams of becoming a sports journalist, and then stepping in the Breadwinner role when his Father passed to provide for his family. My Grandpa was an honest, wise, goofy man who took pleasure in the simple things. As well as my Grandma. They were not simple people, but they led simple lives, and that is the key to happiness I think.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/r90/1003722_10151790722212489_57316662_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1073121_10151790725292489_1099029345_o.jpg" width="640" /><br />
Bill Gumbiner. The man responsible for setting up my Grandma and Grandpa. He was my Grandpa's best friend for many, many years and also my Grandma's sister's Husband. The four of them were very, very close. It was touching to see him there, tearing up, watching him as his thoughts took him back to the memories that have lasted him this long. It is a reminder to me that life is happening now. These are the days when we are old and gray, that we will look back on. These are the days we will yearn for when our loved ones move on to Heaven. So make them special, and love as much as you can.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/r90/993939_10151790729162489_403358759_n.jpg" /><br />
Oliver and Alexander<br />
<img src="https://sphotos-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/r90/1005324_10151790732082489_2017162092_n.jpg" /><br />
Nate and Mira (No they didn't just get engaged ;) )<br />
<img src="https://sphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/r90/46399_10151790731162489_82801484_n.jpg" /><br />
Bobby and Candace<br />
<img height="640" src="https://sphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/r90/1001682_10151790732987489_2039717025_n.jpg" width="511" /><br />
My Dad<br />
<img height="640" src="https://sphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/r90/1002544_10151790733812489_907067657_n.jpg" width="511" /><br />
My Parents<br />
<img src="https://sphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/r90/971566_10151790734662489_1524136220_n.jpg" /><br />
My little boy :)<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/r90/971159_10151790733357489_1347553755_n.jpg" /><br />
Ah. Loves of my life.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/r90/1000880_10151790734737489_1183670913_n.jpg" /><br />
Josh took this. I love it.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/r90/1006040_10151790725287489_1320545644_n.jpg" /><br />
Oh Mira. Gorgeous woman.<br />
<img height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/77459_10151790728587489_197236099_o.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/r90/970232_10151790729747489_1357279142_n.jpg" /><br />
The Gumbiners and Hungs. Gorgeous family.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/r90/1000519_10151790734887489_1688096194_n.jpg" /><br />
My brother is a model guys.<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/r90/1003008_10151790772857489_15748024_n.jpg" /><br />
Levi, Josh and Skylar<br />
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/r90/996539_10151790734822489_841641482_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Overall, it was a beautiful day, full of smiles and laughter. It was nice to see those closest to my Grandparents there to show their support for the family and share stories with each other about how their lives were touched through them.<br />
<br />
In the car ride home, my Husband who shows emotion rarely, was pretty effected by the Memorial. He expressed his love for Levi and I and promised to be the best husband and father he could. As I did the same, "Remember When" by Alan Jackson came on and we both just got flooded with emotion. We are blessed to have one another, to have a little boy together, and these are the days, the moments that we will always have in our hearts when we are old and gray.<br />
<br />
I will update more about where I've been later!<br />
XO.hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-65766306562755075962013-07-16T19:21:00.001-04:002013-07-16T19:21:19.604-04:00Its a choice to be happy.I woke up this morning feeling blah. I think I use the word blah to describe my feelings whenever I am just overwhelmed and I choose to focus on the negativity surrounding me. The word blah is a way to acknowledge that I just don't feel like dealing with life right now.<br />
<br />
I sat down and opened my journal. Usually doing this will help me realize why I am actually so down. At the end of the entry, a light bulb went off in my head. Or maybe just a realization. I can chalk up my <i>problems </i>which are so not problems in the grand scheme of things, to be this sort of road block in my life. Instead of letting things keep me down, I realized that its my choice to be happy. I mean why in the world am I letting the fact that I live in a condo, and really want to move into a spacious house get me down? That is ridiculous. Why am I stressing over the fact that I never took school seriously, and now I am at a point where I have 2 years left? Josh and I are at a point where we would like to <i>think</i> about Baby #2 (gasp!) but why can't I focus on the positive in that, rather than second guess every little thing in my life. No circumstances are ever going to be good enough. Life needs to be lived to the fullest every day.<br />
<br />
At the end of the page, I wrote down the main things that Josh and I want in the next few years. And you know what? We'll get there. We own and live in a beautiful condo, we live in a great neighborhood, we have great health in our home, I am pursuing my degree, and Josh is continuing his job that we are so grateful for. So why am I complaining? The degree will come. The house will come. Baby #2 will come. A second income will come. But we need to practice <i>patience</i> now. Past mistakes, or <i>shoulda, woulda, coulda's</i> cannot consume my thoughts anymore. Josh and I are guilty of dreamin. But you know what? That's what I love about us. That just comforts me knowing we will get there, and we will have the life we want.We will have the house in the country where our kids can roam around the land, we will have the front porch that we can close our days and begin our mornings on, and we will have a sense of peace. I cannot focus my thoughts in the direction of envy, instead my focus needs to be on the here and now. Because 10 years from now, these moments will be known as the <i>good ole days.</i> Josh and I will reflect on these days with smiles and laughter knowing we crammed our first few lives together with babies in this place, this condo, our home. And we will reflect on how awesome it was to have time at home with Levi while I was in school, and while we are sippin' on our hot cocoa at Christmas time with our babies snuggled up next to us, we will share stories about how easy our life once was, when we had little money to spare.<br />
<br />
Now enjoy a little photo shoot from today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXmBjOXY3ZP67UJdSfsZi0I814rtWLodEpuIunJn9uCBghRSPgvbZAFiuj1kZrp3g6ferLc8lnb-F43-T1guahTjreEX4uAI-wcqRwFXpswWz80L8uDgsn_J-Py4jzupCpBKUgOd-kPY/s1600/July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXmBjOXY3ZP67UJdSfsZi0I814rtWLodEpuIunJn9uCBghRSPgvbZAFiuj1kZrp3g6ferLc8lnb-F43-T1guahTjreEX4uAI-wcqRwFXpswWz80L8uDgsn_J-Py4jzupCpBKUgOd-kPY/s640/July.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJLGGfiw-3V5W2iKbZNKamUBfAhf1y4xhRrEIx-XlOtZYoH1PQ9lDkpnLXdPMeIMY7Onc5n8UpxAP2xKAQqELhhKT4RM9PF_aRds21FhpADDuyQQA7UxSqIBE7SH6mmhlFh8sBkox0jo/s1600/2013-07-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJLGGfiw-3V5W2iKbZNKamUBfAhf1y4xhRrEIx-XlOtZYoH1PQ9lDkpnLXdPMeIMY7Onc5n8UpxAP2xKAQqELhhKT4RM9PF_aRds21FhpADDuyQQA7UxSqIBE7SH6mmhlFh8sBkox0jo/s640/2013-07-153.jpg" width="512" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTw6nfvkwZjP5ZrC6tsNkXvKiCsUhnWrIz-xgQNwcd6ho_-qEx31iH0ZPUrR60rqIzPCqty-6ka7-CamHDHSFwcKvkS2Qi_ezy7xIhADSbcisGCfQ-WTXez1QkDYnnXSTVUO25OF1l40/s1600/July2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTw6nfvkwZjP5ZrC6tsNkXvKiCsUhnWrIz-xgQNwcd6ho_-qEx31iH0ZPUrR60rqIzPCqty-6ka7-CamHDHSFwcKvkS2Qi_ezy7xIhADSbcisGCfQ-WTXez1QkDYnnXSTVUO25OF1l40/s640/July2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWAUUJrCpisL2H6i1bItARaxYnWvrCKHjBgDMYSy4fR9-qVRYakReZoXCA2zv20vNmKcl8K4HXaYkEV1aEVcu-7SJeQQ9w-PDGOiDo2sHMQw_t4moezezdOgYRz7pVwsdOn1jcb_2Coc/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWAUUJrCpisL2H6i1bItARaxYnWvrCKHjBgDMYSy4fR9-qVRYakReZoXCA2zv20vNmKcl8K4HXaYkEV1aEVcu-7SJeQQ9w-PDGOiDo2sHMQw_t4moezezdOgYRz7pVwsdOn1jcb_2Coc/s640/19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
XO<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054355217009519746.post-24428138812452384252013-07-12T14:43:00.001-04:002013-07-12T15:01:58.022-04:00All about my toddler.Thanks to my Aunt Claudia who sent me a wonderful book about Parenting. I have been so much more at ease raising my own toddler these past months since reading it. Every Parenting book I have read so far really focuses on <i>where</i> your toddler should be rather than <i>how </i>and <i>why </i>they will get there. This book really deals with how children come into their own, and how every child does it differently and at their own speed.<br />
<br />
Let me just say that it is not easy raising a toddler with a very laid back temperament. Its especially hard when every other toddler you know is so outgoing and "ahead of the curve" it seems. Therefore it makes it hard to "compare" Levi's progress etc when he's just not there yet. I mean come on, the child just started walking at 19 1/2 months. If that's not enough to freak you out a little then I don't know what is. Of course when you Google late walkers, there's plenty out there like Levi, but not in the small circle of toddlers I know, and its definitely not encouraging when the young Pediatrician in his 30's is telling you to get him evaluated. I do everything I can that is <i>right</i> or <i>best</i> for Levi in my opinion. I don't use the TV as a babysitter, I let him pick toys that make him happy, I give him a say so and let him do what he wants as long as he is safe and happy. I let him play in mud. I let him get dirty. I want him to be barefoot outside. I don't feed him sugar. I don't feed him processed foods. He has a fresh juice every morning, milk and water throughout the day. That's it. He eats organic. He eats his veggies. I eliminate chemicals in the house. I keep him rear facing. The list could go on and on. I am not perfect. I don't judge any other mommies who don't do these things. I honestly am thankful for having the knowledge of how important these things are, and the positive effects that Levi will receive from it.<br />
So why is he needing to get evaluated? What did I do wrong?<br />
<br />
-So we got him evaluated. He was not developmentally delayed. He was simply not walking yet, because A) He didn't care to be all motivated about learning something new when he was all for crawling. Crawling was easy, not scary, no falling involved. (This was my Mama's Intuition) I knew all along there was nothing <i>wrong</i>.<br />
And B) He didn't have the strength in his core to be able to hold up his chubby, short self. (Sorry Levi for the Shorty genes ;)<br />
<br />
So we got some strengthening exercises to get his core strong enough to walk.<br />
<br />
While he was accomplishing these gross motor skills from about 15-19 1/2 months it seemed all of his other skills took a back seat. Which we were told is perfectly normal, and that once he did master walking, he would catch up his other skills.<br />
<br />
So here we are. He is repeating everything to the best of his ability. He is so freaking receptive its a little scary. He gets everything. Seriously. He can probably read my mind. He is accomplishing his fine motor skills, although he still won't eat with a fork or spoon. Here we go back to the first paragraph. Do I think he c<i>an't</i>, no. I think he really is like Dude, eating with my hands is easy so why not? I provide him with utensils, encourage him and let him decide. He is trying to climb on everything. The couch is a little rough. (Sorry for the short genes. You can do it!) He's got the strength, but not the length ;) He's taking his clothes off, not playing nice, then will kiss you when I say "Play nice Levi". He is a manipulator. Oh boy can he get his way. Or so he thinks. :)<br />
<br />
I called Josh when I read this quote in the book. I was so excited. I think as parents its hard not to jump on that train of pushing your toddler to learn, learn, learn. To have the bragging rights to say my toddler is doing this, that and some more. Which is totally awesome and rewarding. But I think I lose focus sometimes and this quote put it into perspective. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">"Our role as parents is not to 'motivate' our young learners but to nurture and support their natural motivation."</span></span><br />
I think I really like this book because it reminds me so much of Montessori School. The children pick what interests them and learn how they feel fit. I need to keep in mind that if I continue to supply Levi with all the tools to learn,he will get it when he naturally gets it. And that is the most rewarding I think, when you know they get it because they accomplished it on their own.<br />
<br />
Another thing that I have noticed is it is becoming hard for him to separate from me. This phase kicked in around one, but lasted a few short weeks. Over the past 2 months its gotten a lot worse. Everyone was giving me crap saying well maybe he's just a little delayed in this area, or stop letting him be up your butt. Josh got frustrated with me for picking him up-but I knew he was truly upset. It wasn't him just being clingy for no reason.Then after reading through this book my Aunt gave me, I came across the Separation portion. I was amazed. Like go ahead and name that paragraph Levi.<br />
<br />
It said, "Toddlers also go through periods of difficult separations because of their rapid growth. Any time a child is having a developmental spurt or going through a period of increased fears, she may want to stay close to her family. As toddlers push for autonomy, the natural counterbalance is clinginess: 'I want to be out climbing, throwing, jumping, making my own decisions, playing with the kids, and I want to be on your lap, all at the same time."<br />
<br />
I read this and was like wow. This separation anxiety kicked in right around the time he was mastering walking, and has gotten worse in the past few weeks. Now that makes sense! He is having a developmental spurt, and I now know of a sign that signify's that spurt coming, and also explains the current behavior. So now people can stop thinking I let him be up my butt all day, and don't give him social experiences, la la la. (Mama's intuition again)<br />
<br />
The next paragraph said, "Children who are late talkers and who rely on a unique communication system with their parents often find separations more challenging. And children who tend to be observers, who like to "take a lot of notes" before they move out into the world, may also find that comfortable separations take longer to develop."<br />
<br />
I mean wow. Its so comforting when you read something and really are like "That's my kid." And being surrounded with toddlers who are so outgoing and risk takers, and expressive, and seemingly advanced. I mean this totally makes sense. Levi will look you up and down while squeezing me tight until he decides you're cool enough to talk to ;) You may take it personal, but he is really just taking notes in his head. He has had this approach since he was born. He totally has this type of temperament and it effects how he views the world. I also sign quite a bit with Levi, mostly just basic needs signing, and we sing songs with signs when he's sad, and we cuddle when he's tired. I understand why this may scare him when I'm not there. He may fear if Daddy, or Grandma will understand him. Will they know he's hungry? Or thirsty? Or tired? Or cold? I totally get that.<br />
<br />
Thanks Claudia for the book! I am learning so much about my toddler from a standpoint that makes sense. I am understanding Levi from a view that focuses on <i>how</i> and <i>why </i>he will get there, rather than <i>where</i> he needs to be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLkN8SvE-4hDI5oge4e-Dk3wnITXkzgiQR80soUe6qC4cbb6f6qEpi-K-_YMOLnaVGdfjIwEQr6og8M7NRYkzkuDcO9IZInE5drZo2reZsTemrXKCRG8urlavq1JnsRit3PgQTv0bcmE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLkN8SvE-4hDI5oge4e-Dk3wnITXkzgiQR80soUe6qC4cbb6f6qEpi-K-_YMOLnaVGdfjIwEQr6og8M7NRYkzkuDcO9IZInE5drZo2reZsTemrXKCRG8urlavq1JnsRit3PgQTv0bcmE/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If any of my mamas want the name and author its <i>Becoming the Parent you Want to Be-a sourcebook of strategies for the first five years</i> by Laura Davis and Janis Keyser.<br />
<br />
This was lengthy but I think it may help my fellow mommies who are going through the same thing.<br />
<br />
Now I'm going to keep brainstorming ideas for Levi's "By the Campfire" Fall birthday party!<br />
XO<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />hope @ a cup of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944661656989201032noreply@blogger.com0