tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747802024-03-13T22:20:31.344-04:00incessant anonymitySMShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17756514067236409850noreply@blogger.comBlogger665125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-59578115777742441992016-04-16T11:55:00.002-04:002016-04-16T11:55:19.120-04:00To Wrap Up or Rap On.. Hello dead blog space. I must sincerely apologize for leaving you with such a post as the last one written for so many months. Seeing that last post every time I visited this space was a bit like seeing an unwashed mirror and refusing to get the Windex. So, I have found the paper towels. I didn't care for that last post and it is gone so there's that.<br />
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I am going to do a bit of pruning here. Going through old posts and deleting those rambling senseless poorly written whining words that I don't care for. After that I am frankly unsure of what to do in this space. I could pick up where I am and begin to write of our daily life here, or I can put this space neatly into a box and tuck it on a high shelf in the closet.. kept safe for the girls until the next time they want to see what life was like when they were little.<br />
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Does anyone still see this space besides myself? Do any of you still check in here who once read my ramblings? If so.. will you comment so I can see you there?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-68108064350033062042014-07-16T20:18:00.001-04:002014-07-16T20:18:30.079-04:00This afternoon's adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you see the Ada? We took Daddy back to our 2 mile hike to Crabtree Falls this afternoon. The girls were so excited to get him there, since he is the one who can do all the crazy climbing around on rocks with the three of them.. at once. </div>
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My girls. My rough and tumble, mountain, bug and rock loving girls. </div>
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More playing in the water.. and climbing up the rocks on the other side of the water fall. </div>
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View from the little bridge. Then my battery died. So only iPhone pix for the rest of the trip. Guess who forgot the charger.. womp womp. </div>
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We started this hike after Frankie woke up at 4:30.. so we didn't make it back here until almost 7. We dumped our tired, giggly, happy, muddy and damp girls into the giant two person tub in this delightful abode we are renting and they splashed in the warm water and bubbles until dinner was ready. The trail to the waterfall was filled with tiny little trickles of water heading down the mountain to the big falls. The girls call these "fairy showers"and the little puddles they splash into are "fairy bathtubs". They saw so many fairy houses that we lost count and even found fairy treasure map (a design made by wood grubs or bugs under some bark that had fallen off). All the talk of tiny people and their tiny world made them want to watch Arietty while they ate dinner so they are currently snuggled together in jammies under a comforter watching their favorite borrower. </div>
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We are watching the sunset and sipping rye. A day well spent. </div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-57857683167349391132014-07-16T15:45:00.002-04:002014-07-16T15:45:51.210-04:00Wildflowers in water glasses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the view from our deck this week. We are in Little Switzerland enjoying the mountain air while Stephen attends an artists retreat at Wild Acres. He spends his mornings there, we spend ours exploring, and we pick him up after lunch and spend the afternoons exploring together. Heaven must be like this...</div>
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The girls and I took a 2 mile hike down to a hidden waterfall on our first morning alone. </div>
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Frankie hiked on her own for 3/4 of the way and spent small intervals of time on my shoulders resting her baby feet and legs. When she rides on my shoulders her little chubby hands rest on my forehead and she spends the ride kissing my hair. </div>
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We packed our lunch down to the falls but.. the water took precedence.</div>
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Truth. Hiking back is always less fun than hiking there. Still 2 plus miles for this little gang.. not too shabby!</div>
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We are grilling out for dinner every night on the deck. A hot tub lives out there too and after little folks are in bed.. under the stars.. yes. Dinner hours have been super flexible and we hike right up until we can't go any further. This is from our trip last night, after which we all had a late supper of burgers and dogs and grilled corn and assorted veggies. </div>
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The girls have been sketching in special sketch books that Stephen got for this trip. </div>
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Ada has decided she prefers the mountains to the beach. As a self proclaimed scientist, she is in her element. </div>
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It seems we are waterfall hunters on this trip. This was our first falls on our first day here. We have since been to 3 other falls with more in our future. </div>
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Lunch al fresco. Every day. </div>
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Our dear friends came for the night. The only thing better than being here, was getting to share 18 hours with them here. </div>
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Our nightly fireworks show.</div>
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Frankie rests, they draw and paint with Daddy. </div>
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Frankie wakes and we pack up and head to our afternoon adventure of choice. </div>
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And there are little girl collected bouquets of wildflowers in water glasses..</div>
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..everywhere. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-13036506791520205392014-06-25T10:29:00.003-04:002014-06-25T10:29:35.242-04:00Yesterday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr1a0sjgqqQ/U6raRFsSb_I/AAAAAAAABMo/S0R6j0rdmCU/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr1a0sjgqqQ/U6raRFsSb_I/AAAAAAAABMo/S0R6j0rdmCU/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The girls have had a lot of free reign during these first few weeks of summer. I keep finding small creations scattered around the house. This was yesterday's find. Ada's sculpture of a "bear sleeping in a cave". Those are genuine fruit snack wrappers - repurposed as boulders and cave components and secured with plenty of scotch tape. </div>
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We also received this beautiful cabbage from a neighbor yesterday. We love our next door neighbors - on all sides. A few days ago our Vietnamese neighbors brought us 3 huge containers of the best homemade egg rolls you have ever tasted. One of their 4 sons brought this gift to the front door and they were so fresh the steam was wafting out of the Styrofoam containers they were packed into. This cabbage was a gift from a newish acquaintance that Stephen saw talking to another older neighbor while they were peeking at our nextdoor neighbors backyard - trying to see what sort of construction has been going on back there. Nothing gets past these ladies. Not even my cute husband. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-48698414452905937342014-06-22T15:00:00.002-04:002014-06-22T15:00:51.497-04:00Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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M, F, and A on Easter Sunday this year. </div>
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Easter Sunday was extra special this year. Margot was baptized on Easter Sunday this year. </div>
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A few weeks earlier, Margot was talking to me about something having to do with the Bible and she just blurted out "I'm not afraid to get baptized anymore!". </div>
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Our church holds baptisms occasionally on Sunday mornings. The girls have been watching these take place with more interest recently. The people who have made this decision in their lives are baptized in a large pool thing in the center of the room surrounded by those present, singing worship songs and pausing to hear the name and story of the person being baptized. It can be intimidating for an adult and, I imagine, scary for a child. The girls have maintained that they are "too shy" to get baptized. Of course we haven't pushed the issue because we want it to be their choice. When Margot made that statement to me, I wasn't sure how to take it. It's not like her to even bring something like this up. Most "God questions" normally come from Ada. When I asked her why she wanted to get baptized I fully expected her to say it was because she wanted to get in the water. After all, that's why I wanted to get baptized at her age. Instead I got an answer with a maturity I wasn't expecting: "People get baptized because they believe in Jesus and I believe in Jesus so I want to get baptized. It's like when we take communion because we believe He died for our sins and He told us to do that to remember He died for our sins and getting baptized is something you do to remember too." </div>
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Over the next few weeks Stephen and I both asked her multiple times about why she wanted to get baptized, expecting her answer to vary. It didn't. She was steadfast and excited about the prospect of making her faith "official". She started telling everyone at school that she was going to get baptized on Easter. She told her teacher, her principal, and anyone else who would listen. The day before Easter, her precious teacher came by the house to bring her a special present - a cross necklace - to celebrate her baptism. She wore it the next day, trembling with excitement during the service, asking every 5 minutes if it was time to get baptized yet. Then it was time. My parents came to watch and David and Grace were there with Ada and Frankie while Stephen climbed into the baptismal with Margot and one of our pastors. I was honestly shocked by how much emotion overtook me, watching our daughter get baptized. She was beaming with peaceful excitement. I was remembering her life until this moment. We believe that baptism is a symbol, it's not a magic moment that makes a person holy. Still the recognition that my five year old was ready to make this choice, to make this symbolic gesture so that others would know she was a follower of Christ - was overwhelming. We are just so humbled by this kid. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-1643460378252249942014-06-22T14:01:00.000-04:002014-06-22T14:01:30.797-04:00Their's and Our's <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is officially our second summer in our home and though little has changed in our house since these "after" pictures where taken about a month after we unpacked, I thought it would be fun to see the Before and After set side by side. It's more like Their's and Our's because their house had a definite theme and ours has one of it's own. </div>
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If we are BFFs on FB then you have already seen the after shots but this time you get to see more of the actual transformation that took place, lo those many months ago. I snagged these before shots off the real estate listing for this place and we were too frazzled and crazed during the two week renovation to take any pictures of what it looked like empty. </div>
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Their Kitchen</div>
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Our Kitchen. Still my favorite room in the house... when it's clean. I firmly believe that the two nerve centers in a home are the kitchen and the master bedroom. When the kitchen is clean and tidy our life seems to be more organized and we get places on time. When our bedroom is clean and organized we rest well and I feel ready to take on whatever life has on offer that day. Isn't it amazing what a coat of paint, new countertops, and a couple of new track lights can do? </div>
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Their Living Room</div>
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Our Living Room. Those shelves took up so much space and they were not even attached to the wall! So down they came. The light, my heavens, the light! The girls play on that rug for hours at a time. </div>
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Their Entryway </div>
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Our Entryway. One of top priorities on our house wish list are new front doors. Those are right next to painting the exterior of the house whose avocado green color theme has not been updated since it's inception in '65. One tiny, itty bitty step at a time. </div>
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Their Master Bedroom</div>
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Our Master Bedroom</div>
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Their Girls Room</div>
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Our Girls Room. This room is deceptively neat in this photo. It is an old picture for one, and the girls had not yet been through Kindergarten. Kindergarten with all it's treasures, projects, and treasure box items that find their way home. I feel I am fighting a constant battle of clutter in this room but as it is actually THEIR battle to fight and not mine I try to limit my re-organization of their lives to once or twice a month - tops. We are talking about having the girls swap rooms in a year or two. Frankie's room has more wall space and a larger closet so I feel like it would be a better situation for our growing twin ladies who may not want to be in bunk beds for life. </div>
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Their Guest Room (?)</div>
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Our Frankie's Room</div>
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Their Hall</div>
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Our Hall</div>
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Their Basement Room</div>
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Our Late Night Hideaway with Wood Burning Fireplace, Record Player and other Toys</div>
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This is the room that sold the house. Not their version, but our vision of what it could become. Our version. This room took the longest to complete because we didn't have enough time to get the painting done during that two week frenzy before we moved in. It also needed quite a bit of work. We got rid of the fireplace insert and discovered that the fire brick were all cracked and patched. So Dad did the demo work himself and then called in his fantastic mason and we had the entire firebox rebuilt. Then that had to cure for awhile before we could try it out. Then we did try it out.. and it smoked. Badly. So my Dad and I became experts on all the issues in a house that can cause a chimney to smoke. My dad was such an encouragement during this. He said every chimney is a little different and you just have to figure out how yours works. So as it turned out even though the flu to firebox opening ratio was mathematically correct, the opening was still slightly large. So after experimenting a bit we found a size that worked and Dad bought and installed a hood that lowered the height about an inch. This caused the chimney to draw better and eliminated the smoke issue altogether. </div>
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The folks who lived here before us had never used the fireplace once in the eight years they lived here. That thought makes me sad sometimes when we are curled up next to a roaring fire. I wonder who else in the history of this house didn't get to enjoy this room. This room is where we come after the kids go to bed. Stephen has his drawing table down here and it is cozy and quiet. The girls love to have movie night down here, and it's our guest room when we have overnight visitors. The vintage couch is a sleeper sofa and there is a full bathroom down here. It's a great room. </div>
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There is one more room in this house that really sold us and that is the "Black and White" room. It's kind of a utility room in the lower level/basement with a big farm sink, black and white linoleum flooring, and lots of room to make a mess. I will have to take a picture of that one soon and post it - it's the last place in the house that has been organized and it's taken me over a year to get there... still in process. </div>
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Many of the changes we made were so minor. Taking down curtain rods, changing out closet and drawer pulls and changing out light fixtures to name a few. Their pulls were dark and we traded those for crystal in the girls rooms and turquoise in our room and the bathrooms. We took down some of their light fixtures and replaced them with the original ones we found in one of the closets. So thankful they had saved these instead of tossing them! We still have lots to do to make this house into the home I see in my mind's eye. But that's the fun part, right? </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-62435278355371280702014-06-20T21:17:00.000-04:002014-06-20T21:17:18.923-04:00Spring Walk with Daddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-17679436282572438502014-03-06T08:25:00.002-05:002014-03-06T08:25:55.875-05:00Awash <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every time I start to gather the laundry she comes running. "I help you Mommy?!?! I help YOU?!?!" She collects her step stool and scolds me if she doesn't have enough items of clothing to add to the load herself. I can't stand for her to touch the underwear with her indiscriminate grasp so I set the shirts and nightgowns and socks in a little pile. Letting her help with the soap is my challenge because she drops it sometimes, or spills it on her hands. Why is laundry detergent so difficult to wash off skin? Why is it such a fight for me to let go of my control over this tiny part of our day? I love every moment of her help. She is consistently surprised by the water in the machine and how it splashes up onto her nose sometimes. It always makes her giggle and look up at me with bright eyes. I know these days are severely limited. Still the delight my heart feels in this routine and the memory it will become, is mingled with the constant training down of my need to control every moment. I box up my sharp precision in a sound proof room and will myself to ignore the jiggling door knob. I guess I will always be one of those people for whom it takes much practice to allow others to participate in my life, particularly those who are small. Whatever the deeper issues of these moments in my own mind, Frankie standing on a stool watching the washer fill with water is my girlish dream of motherhood personified. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-69996391350831156112014-02-16T23:14:00.002-05:002014-02-16T23:14:37.493-05:00Two Lumps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight when I went to put Frankie down to bed, I asked the girls to stay in their room and read to each other quietly. Margot crawled under her covers and Ada laid down next to her on the unicorn Pillow Pet, declaring she would tell Margot a "Cheep Cheep" story. Cheep Cheep is a mischievous squirrel that Stephen has been relaying stories about for several years. He usually lays on the floor with his head on the purple unicorn and recounts whatever the little rascal has been up to. Ada was playing daddy tonight as daddy wasn't here for bedtime. </div>
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When I returned from tucking Frankie in this is what I found. Twin lumps under Margot's comforter. This is not the first time this has happened, but it's the first time I am recording it here. No matter how many times it happens in the future, it will always make me pause for a moment and drink it in. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-66074609358071560582014-02-15T21:51:00.000-05:002014-02-15T21:51:48.872-05:00Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It snowed a few weeks ago. It was one of those nights where where the snow starts drifting down just before you close your eyes and in the morning, everything is blanketed in white. The snow gear that still had tags on from two years ago came out and the girls couldn't wait to get suited up. </div>
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For some reason the sight of a 2 year old in snow bibs made me giddy. I am pretty sure I took at least 23 pictures of her itty bitty self. </div>
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When we first looked at this house, I actually said to Stephen , "This would be the perfect little sledding hill in the winter." True story. </div>
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We played outside until we were wet and numb from the cold. Then trooped indoors for popcorn and hot chocolate, dozed by the fire while mittens and socks tumbled in the dryer. Then gear was wriggled back into and out we went again. Five times out in all. </div>
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Our last trip out was after dinner. We took the girls night sledding at the elementary school down the block. The hill we had sledded during the day had melted at the bottom, making for a rough landing on the paved parking lot. We located a steeper hill nearby and gathered enough snow to create a soft landing once a sledding crossed the curb. We sledded for over an hour in the municipal light of the street lamps. Frankie was fearless, repeatedly riding down solo on her green saucer. Ada had her own style in the blue. Margot preferred riding with Mommy or Daddy in the big pink sled. Several days after the snow melted, driving past the parking lot on the way to school, I noticed our little ramp was the only evidence left. Slow to melt in the shade. </div>
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On Wednesday of this week we were again hit with another blast of snow and ice. This time the girls only ventured out once. It was icy and sleeting. I have had the flu and could not join the troop. The next day it was already melting. Wet and dripping long before the rain showed up. We all stayed indoors and worked on Valentines and homework for school. And played, there is always loads of play in this house. I doubt we will get any more snow this year. Either way we have plenty of memories stored away. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-43884646858500306512013-12-09T22:46:00.002-05:002013-12-09T22:46:38.545-05:00Christmas Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight was the Christmas Concert at school! We braved the mall on Saturday to get new dresses for A and M. This is probably as close to a Christmas Card as we are going to come this year!</div>
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Gold tights and everything. Frankie was so excited to be a part of the hustle and bustle of getting ready I am pretty sure she thought she was going to be performing as well. </div>
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"One just for us, Mom." (melt) </div>
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Some excited girls and their friends.</div>
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For those who don't already know, Stephens brother, David, and his lovely wife Grace moved from Denver to Raleigh this summer. It has been such a treat to have them nearby and be such a constant part of the girls daily lives. They get to do last minute things like come to a concert on a Monday night since they live about 8 minutes from our house. Frankie is mildly obsessed with her Uncle "Davee". </div>
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Mom moment. They were singing a song about snowflakes and about how each one is special and unique and then they all dipped down and came back up holding their own snowflake pictures that they had made over their heads. I know its incredibly cheesy but seeing all those little people with their individual selves and their little snowflakes made me get all teary. Bravo Mr. Mann. Bravo. </div>
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Ada was asked to be an angel precisely 15 minutes before school let out today. I was able to get a paparazzi shot as she marched by. </div>
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See our little plaid angel in the front row?</div>
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Here is Margot with her precious teachers. </div>
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Ada with her precious teacher. We are so incredibly blessed by these women and the way they pour their heart and soul into our girls. They are so diligent in their care for them and the work they do with them. It's very humbling to be partnered with such incredible people in the education of your children. </div>
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I will leave you with this. Margot and her best friend. Trouble ya'll. Trouble. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-64873794336126479602013-12-08T21:37:00.000-05:002013-12-08T21:37:15.764-05:00Christmas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that wonderful time of year once again when you drag your post turkey coma family out the day after Thanksgiving in search of the perfect Christmas tree. In our case we went that Saturday so we were already down one precious day with a large tree in our living room. We were ready. The girls each disappeared into the forest of possibilities and I tried not to have a panic attack fearing one of them would emerge into the parking lot without parental supervision. </div>
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Margot found her perfect tree pretty early on. </div>
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Ada stoically lead me to her favorite a few minutes later. She was sure it was just the right size. </div>
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Frankie mostly ran and, more specifically, ran away.</div>
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Let's be honest Mommy is really the one who chooses the tree and as I wove my way around the 45th corner in this little winter wonderland - I saw it. It stood out like a well dressed southern lady at a car wash. It had just the right amount of what we like to call "tree belly". Nice and round in the middle. A fat tree bordering on obese and absolute perfection. </div>
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Frankie was so excited she flew right out of Stephen's arms. </div>
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The girls were happy and wiggly so after Stephen haggled the guy down a whole 3 dollars on the price we strapped that little porker to top of our car and joined the throngs of others on the roads heading home with their prizes like some happy family of man Christmas brotherhood. </div>
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We have some traditions that go along with choosing our tree. We always get a cookie at the Farmers Market afterward and nibble its cold sugary goodness in the car on the way home. This year we added a pre-tree hunt tradition. We all went out for breakfast at Finches - an old Raleigh institution. The girls each got to order for themselves - which means they had about 6 pieces of sausage, 12 pieces of toast and 8 pieces of bacon between them - we may rethink that part for next year but I was actually impressed with how much of that they polished off. Putting a reminder in my phone or whatever it takes to remember to do that next year. We don't go out to eat with them, pretty much ever. So this was just about the most perfect treat before one of their favored days of the year. Felt like a true American family. </div>
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Last year this time we were scrambling to finish the house in time to move in. Exhausted and feeling like we would never make it. This year we put up Christmas lights. Stephen has always wanted the old fashioned big glass bulb lights for his own home. So that's exactly what we got. What else could you expect from this vintage loving family? He did the doorway this year and next year we may add the front edge of the roof. A few strands each year until we are those retirees who spend an entire day on the outdoor lights. </div>
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The glow from the lights is so warm and inviting I find myself peering out the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the glow from indoors. It makes me wish I was my own neighbor so I could look out and see them. They just make us happy. </div>
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We are taking Christmas very slow and easy this year. I have cut out all extra activities that are not school related. I RSVPd no to the 47 birthday parties they got invited too. We are not looking for a billion ways to give back at this time of year. We are pulling up the little rope ladder to our clubhouse and making multiple batches of my Nanny's favorite cookie recipes. We are having hot chocolate just because. We are reading the Advent readings before we eat our chocolate from the calendar (most days). We are playing with the nativity scene and taking deep breaths and putting lots of love into the things we have chosen to do this year. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-49700236561219150272013-11-11T12:18:00.001-05:002013-11-11T12:18:30.631-05:00Hey Summer! Yes you friend!!Dear Summer,<br />
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How are you? I am fine. Well almost fine. I have not been able to see your blog since I changed my email address awhile back and Google wouldn't let me keep both for some reason. I miss seeing you guys so badly! I tried emailing but I think I have the wrong address : / Can we chat about it? My new email is (yes, I know my inbox my now get blown up with who knows what but the risk is worth it to me.) sarahmshingler@gmail.com<br />
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Hoping you are well! (read in that Hogwarts flying/talking/letter delivery voice)<br />
SSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-89973548541156427132013-10-21T23:22:00.001-04:002013-10-21T23:22:57.851-04:00Something Real<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So nighttime is my favorite time of the day. We spend about an hour getting baths and getting into jammies and reading and being read to. It's a full participation portion of our day. This was not always the case. More often than not I was upstairs in a dark room suffering from yet another migraine. Then in May, I went on this migraine diet - I can't even remember the name of the book it was in. A friend told me about it. I had to give up my rescue meds and a whole slew of foods and drinks. No more peanut butter or nuts of any kind, citrus, onions, avocado, wine, bourbon, caffeine, chocolate, aged cheese, dried fruits, fresh bread.. to name a few. </div>
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I was faithful to the diet and for the last two months have started to add items back to see if they have any affect on me. So far I can have most of what I was already eating - just in moderation. If I overdo it I could run into trouble. Managing my sleep patterns and my exercise with my food intake has done wonders in this area. It's kind of like a miracle since I have been dealing with 15-20+ migraines a month since I was 18. So that's a good thing. </div>
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Here's something that is threatening to give me a headache that I just can't stop thinking about. Money. More specifically, people asking for it. Even more specifically, Christians asking for it. It's late and this is probably a bad move on my part to write about this now but it is just making me bonkers. Our church is raising money for a new building. I have had my issues with how I felt about this and after much prayer really searching the word - I can honestly say I am on board and actually excited about it. Here's the thing though.. we don't have anything to give. The list of things that they gave us that you could potentially cut back on that would give you extra cash to give to this - don't do or have a single one of them. I wish I could cut back on my Starbucks consumption (see diet above). I am not judging their motives I am just weary. We give to our local church and what we give is a huge sacrifice for us, a single income teaching family of 5. I would love to give more.. but I don't have it to give. Our church is gracious to families like ours - they understand we may not be able - they ask for us to support them in prayer. I can do that. Still not being able to actually give something tangible stings. Because its the tangible thing - money - that will make or break the deal. This whole weariness started with our church but it has moved to other areas. </div>
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I have noticed various Christian folks in leadership roles that I follow on FB starting to ask for money for various events and life changing conferences and gatherings they are putting together. They want to offer it for free but in order to do that the folks that can afford to pay need to consider paying for those who can't. It just makes me tired. Why are so many Christians doing so many things that cost so much money? There seems to be this overwhelming theme of "God is bigger". God is bigger than money, bigger than this need we have - we know He can do this. I agree wholeheartedly. He is bigger. He is God. The buck stops there. I don't know what my problem is really.. I am just weary of being asked to sacrifice for things that don't directly benefit those He asked us to care for. I just can't seem to get away from that. It seems that all this collecting of money for big projects and conferences is taking care of the church itself - not those outside it. I realize that if you get a group of people fired up about caring for people then the idea is that they will then go and do just that - care for people. Is it working? I hope so. I really really do. I know each of these things I am frustrated with is led by folks who seek the Lord with their whole heart. And you can't go wrong when you are leading that way. It's just my heart and my pocket book are tapped out. I am no longer giving with a gracious and thankful heart - I feel frustrated at being asked.. again.. and by so many voices. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-23981286547542917712013-10-21T22:28:00.000-04:002013-10-21T22:28:00.505-04:00State Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nana and Papa came with us to the State Fair this year. They got to come see the Rabbit Barn and taste the worlds best country ham biscuit. </div>
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We saw the requisite animals and large pumpkins. Checked to see if any of Stephen's students won this year (nope), and did a lot of walking. There is lots to do and see but our plan is usually to hit the same buildings we always and eat the same great food we look forward to. There is the roasted corn on the cob, the falafal from Neomonde, the mini donuts, ribbon fries, the giant kosher dill pickle, frozen apple cider and of course, cotton candy. We don't go in for the Krispy Kreme bacon cheese burger or the fried butter. Have to draw the line somewhere... 'merica. </div>
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Frankie whizzed right through her nap time with a smile on her face. Here she is being a ham and propping her feet up on Daddy's leg. </div>
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As we were leaving I asked Ada if she had fun. As is her usual style upon departure from some much looked forward to event - she said no, she did not have fun. When I asked her why, she said because we didn't DO anything. We just looked at things and ate. </div>
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For the record we intended to take them on the ferris wheel for the first time but they both decided they didn't want to do it. Ada said she would have liked to play some games. So next time we will add games into the program. Alas there will always be much eating and looking at things at the fair since that is pretty much what it's all about. Next year maybe we will venture into the Midway and try games and check out the "rides". Maybe then we will get some pictures of us doing something other than eating. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-88171481573664945352013-10-15T21:59:00.000-04:002013-10-15T21:59:04.361-04:00Strep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Being home sick means baking a cake, which also means strawberry milkshakes and warm slices of lemon pound cake for lunch.) </div>
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We have our first ever case of strep throat. For some twisted reason this feels like a victory to me. I remember enduring throat culture after wretched, shaky throat culture when I was a kid, each and every time I had the slightest sore throat (and sometimes even when I didn't) only to hear, "Well, it's not strep." when Dr. McFalls returned to the exam room. I can remember wanting to glare daggers at him and his Mr. Rogers lookalike self, but being too polite to actually do so. I saved my tears for the car ride home, "I TOLD you I didn't even have a sore throat!! (sob)". However I may be feeling about finally having an official diagnosis, Ada - the actual patient in this scenario - is less than thrilled. This was only her second throat culture so in my book she got pretty lucky to actually catch something that the doctors can fix, instead of your run of the mill, wait and see, cold. Of course I don't want my sweet child to have strep throat - its horribly painful. I don't know why I feel this competitive about the throat culture thing. I hated them with a fiery hate. Most of all I hated that they were always negative and therefore an unnecessary torture device of my youth. It seems almost worth it to get a positive culture. Bravo Ada on braving the gaggy swab thing and coming home with a ten day supply of amoxicillin. </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-58538500279687318082013-10-13T23:33:00.000-04:002013-10-13T23:33:05.786-04:0035<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stephen surprised me with a trip back to New York for my 35th birthday this year. Mary drove up to watch the littles and we flew up Friday and didn't come home until Monday night. We saw old friends, and old familiar places. We stepped right into the rhythm that we stepped out of when we moved to Raleigh. It was like we never left. Of course we did have that moment getting on the Air Train when you can't remember if you want Howard Beach or the Jamaica station.. and you walk around the terminal in a circle a couple of times trying not let anyone see you are confused. And someone does and they laugh and you laugh and remember where you are supposed to go and feel a little silly for having even considered Jamaica. </div>
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Of course lots has changed in 5 years. I hadn't seen the High Line yet. </div>
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We did Chelsea the first morning there and then met Thomas and Bethany and went to see what was new in Brooklyn by the bridge. The one thing we had been sure of was that we would have no set agenda, no schedule. Dinner with MKD and L, brunch with A and C but other than that just a list of restaurants we wanted to eat at. The other thing we were sure of was that we wanted to visit our old block on 32nd Street. But as we said goodbye to Thomas and Bethany in Brooklyn Heights and headed back to the train, I knew I couldn't do it. I couldn't walk up those steps from the train and see the neighborhood changed. I couldn't walk towards 193A and not see Lonna's bright blue flower boxes out front filled with blossoms. I couldn't stand across the street and see someone else's curtains in our old windows. Couldn't not see Oliver and his little white stripe waiting in the widow for us to come upstairs. My heart broke at the thought of it. Stephen didn't completely understand but he was gracious and we headed back to Manhattan for dinner with our friends. I had forgotten how hard it had been to leave until I had the chance to go back. How I had cried as I took my last walk to the train that last morning. How I had hugged my pregnant belly and told myself how it would be worth it in the end. The sacrifice of my life here, for theirs to come. </div>
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We spent a quiet Sunday in our favorite museum. Then we went to Central Park, ate lunch from Hampton Chutney and laid in the grass and read until we were chilly and ready for dinner. We ordered take out Indian and ate in Emily's apartment. We did all the things we used to do on our days off. It truly felt like a vacation - and for me vacations rarely do. Happy 35th year to me. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-584576510334564702013-10-13T22:49:00.001-04:002013-10-13T22:49:14.807-04:00Ballet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The girls started ballet last month, courtesy of Aunt B and several other family members birthday generosity. Since it was their first class we just went with a basic age appropriate class the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation put on at the Rec Center two minutes from our house. They had all the gear and were super psyched to learn how to be real ballerinas. </div>
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Ada told me before we left for class: "I think when the teacher sees me do this (does a twisty twirly move) she will say 'Wow! You already know everything!!'" </div>
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Both girls wondered which boys would carry them over their head and help them do pirouettes.</div>
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Sweet Ada was so serious about becoming a real ballerina at long last. I have to say that she was a bit disappointed when the class included some gymnastics as well and told us that though it was fun, it wasn't really a ballet class. I am determined to find her something a little more serious this next go round. </div>
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These purses are actually holding their ballet slippers. </div>
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As usual, Frankie is just happy to be here :)</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-21109369042519684502013-10-13T22:33:00.000-04:002013-10-13T22:33:03.030-04:00Kindergarten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First day of kindergarten. Nope. I am not ready to talk about it yet ;)</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-53105396169993690242013-10-13T22:26:00.002-04:002013-10-13T22:26:34.272-04:00The Rainbow - Princess-Baking-Adventure-Treasure-Ice-Cream-Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pink and Yellow turned 5 this year. We had a Rainbow - Princess-Baking-Adventure-Treasure-Ice-Cream-Birthday Party. </div>
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Daddy helped everyone bake brownies. </div>
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We had a scavenger hunt with picture cards drawn by Uncle David. </div>
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Adventure. </div>
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The treasure was in the mail box. </div>
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The finest fake earrings the Dollar Tree has to offer. </div>
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Bat Man was in attendance and wasn't thrilled with the YouTube ballet. </div>
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Celebs were also present. </div>
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Then on our actual birthday we opened presents with Grammy who was visiting for the weekend and had our traditional birthday cake for breakfast. </div>
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Then the following weekend we got to celebrate again with Nana and Papa and Uncle Page and Aunt Jenny and Gram and Uncle Michael and Aunt B. We went to the Sci-Quarium and saw all things oceanic from penguins to sharks. There was much celebrating this year. </div>
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How is it even possible that they are five already? Living in denial. </div>
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Happy birthday to my beautiful, smart, talented, loving, giggly, snuggly little girls. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-32145762038735140912013-10-13T21:56:00.000-04:002013-10-13T21:56:08.537-04:00Disney World Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our first trip to Disney was pretty Magical. We spent the night before in the Saratoga Springs resort (courtesy of Aunt Laurie's connections and Papa Larry's generous heart). That morning pink was up with the sun ready to put on her brand new Princess Aurora dress. Yellow didn't wake up until much later. We had spent the previous day playing in the pool at the resort so we had a nice layer of sunburn already started. </div>
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When you wear your princess dress at Disney, the park staff all stop and bow or greet you "Good morning Princess Aurora!! Good morning Princess Belle!!". Our shy girlies were a little put off by this but pretty soon they got used to it. My favorite moment of the entire day happened when we stopped to get a drink about mid-morning. I had been encouraging the girls to smile and wave at those folks who greeted them. I turned around to find Margot, seated a little ways off from the rest of us, facing the stream passersby with a toothy grin on her face, waving and nodding to everyone. I have no photo or video clip on my phone but that little moment is one that I will remember. </div>
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We met the fairies in Pixie Hollow. Vidia is not our favorite fairy, she tried to win us over. </div>
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Tinker Belle!!</div>
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It was so hot. There was much ice cream consumption that day. </div>
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And pickles.. who doesn't love a huge ice cold dill pickle. </div>
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Margot enjoying the blast of cold air from the Hall of the Presidents. </div>
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Obligatory family shot. </div>
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My twinsies in their pink and yellow. </div>
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You might have noticed that Frankie is missing from these pictures. Sweet Laurie and her boys and Elsie were watching Frankie so that Mary and Larry could join us at the park. We will take her when she turns 4 as well.</div>
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More ice cream. </div>
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Grammy and Grampapa - Disney Trip Sponsors :)</div>
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Favorites.</div>
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It was a long day. </div>
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Tears are short lived at Disney. They are also short lived in the arms of your Grammy. </div>
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Headed home. Best day. </div>
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This is a tired girl. A tired girl who may have loved the bus ride to and from the park as much as she loved the park itself. </div>
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I have never been to Disney in my life. When we arrived, once we got through the craziness of getting our tickets checked and actually walked into that downtown area.... ya'll.. we started walking down the middle of the street with the rest of the crowd and there was music playing and fireworks going off and Mickey and Minnie were dancing down the steps of Cinderella's Castle. It was just as it should be. Magical. We rode It's A Small World, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh and climbed the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. We saw the Dumbo ride and decided to skip it because Margot's best friend Liam said it was scary. We played in the splash zone. We saw the Tea Cups. We didn't ride the Tea Cups. Mommy and Daddy got to ride Space Mountain (which was AMAZING by the way) while everyone else rode the People Mover. We just had a fantastic day. Once we headed back to the resort at twilight, almost 9pm, we realized the pool would still be open until around 11. So we said goodbye to Grammy and Grampapa and headed to the room to get into our bathing suits. They were playing a pool side movie when we got there - Peter Pan.. our favorite. So the girls and Stephen swam and went down the water slide and watched Peter Pan under the stars while I read Game of Thrones and tried to stop giggling about what an amazing time we were having. We all got to bed just before midnight. I can't wait to do it all over again one day. </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-55792247014734898522013-10-13T20:59:00.001-04:002013-10-13T20:59:22.886-04:00Frankie Turned 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Frankie turned two on May 23rd, 2013. Our girls two favorite things at that time were Curious George, and Cheerios. The big girls thought it only fitting for Daddy to make a "Keerio - Gore" cake. Frankie loves "Gore" so much that for awhile she was talking the way he.. talks. My child was making cute little monkey sounds. Which is cute at home.. not so cute in the line at Trader Joe's. </div>
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The baby of the family is also quite the builder. She will stack anything. These are her custom birthday blocks from Daddy. </div>
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Once she made her tower.. she left it there on her tray while she opened her other presents. Frankie is also very fond of puzzles, often dragging us upstairs to the shelf in Ada and Margot's room where the more complicated puzzles are kept. She is really good at puzzles big and small. </div>
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She has her sisters' love for imaginary play and loves mommies and babies of all shapes and sizes. She also has a thing for beavers. A beaver mommy and baby were a double whammy. </div>
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Things I want to remember about you at this age sweet girl:</div>
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-You are so loud. So loud Frankie. Your joy is infectious and it also sometimes hurts our ears. </div>
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- You are not a super awesome eater.. but you are trying to be better. You have started taking your two bites of a new food in order to get dessert and your grin from ear to ear when the table erupts into applause as we all cheer your successes. </div>
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-You love your sisters so deeply and they are so connected with you. </div>
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- You squeal and run for the front door when daddy comes home every day. You love to play "Monster" on his iPad. </div>
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-You love your Papa. Both of them. </div>
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-You love to go and do. If we could go "bye-bye" every day, all day you would be thrilled.</div>
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- You are a pleaser. You can be difficult at times but when corrected you try to do the right thing. </div>
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-You love working in the yard with me. I love that you love that. I am counting the seconds together outdoors and keeping each one locked away in my happiest place.</div>
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-You love eggs, grits, and all things breakfast related. </div>
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-You are trying to jump and get both feet off the ground, practicing so hard.. you almost have it!</div>
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-You can and will climb anything.</div>
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-Despite the pictures above, you no longer sit in a high chair or even a booster seat. You were ready to be a big girl and now you sit next to Mommy at the dinner table in regular chair like the rest of us. </div>
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-It takes very little to make you belly laugh. You just live life full speed ahead and at full volume.</div>
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- You are a delight. I write this every time we celebrate your birth but with each year it becomes more true. You are my little buddy during the day when you sisters are at school and I actually get lonely when I run an errand on the weekend and you aren't there in the cart in front of me. </div>
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We love our Frankie. You make our world a better place. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-28403365941805125642013-10-13T20:34:00.001-04:002013-10-13T20:34:13.388-04:00Five Months..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So it's been 5 whole months since I last signed on here. I have thought of this space often. Life has looked much like this picture (taken before school one morning - our contribution to a "Thank You" event for the children's ministry helpers at Vintage). Lots of laughter, many tears, and plenty of deer-in-the-headlights-frozen-smiles. </div>
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Since this space was originally created to share our life and then to record it.. I really feel I need to record the major life mile stones that have passed while I have been on sabbatical. These include a 2nd birthday, a couple of 5th birthdays, a 35th birthday and a trip back home to NY. So.. without further ado.. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-6699683886124940222013-05-20T21:42:00.001-04:002013-05-20T21:42:29.800-04:00Found<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes I forget I ever stood and waited for the train. I forget what the view from our conference room window was. I forget that look of absolute contented belonging that lived on Stephen's face there. That look that only returned when he held Ada and Margot for the first time in our apartment. Then I find reminders.. like my notebook of self indulgent observations that I carried around when we lived there. I think I am going to share some here.. unedited for better or worse. </div>
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5-23-06</div>
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"Sitting on a bench in Central Park by a pond. Watching a couple have their photos taken together by the water. I passed them on the way here posing by the fountain by Bergdorf. Have they just gotten engaged and are taking pictures for the paper? The girl is very loud and sounds like a native New Yorker. She is talking about the fact that all the pictures they take together always come out badly and her head is always chopped off at the top. I wonder when the wedding will be?</div>
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From where I sit I can see 4 groups of people taking pictures. . . of eachother, of the pond, of the bench I am sitting on. I too wish I had a camera here if only to take pictures of the picture taking people! What a collection that would make. . pictures of people taking pictures of other things. </div>
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I passed a very striking woman on 5th just now. She was standing on the corner of a Catholic Church building with another man. She pointed at people passing by with a lit cigarette and mumble shouted negativisms at them. She had on deep red lipstick and she looked like she might have been on something. Her face was so striking. Dark skin and angular lines. She was beautiful in her way. I think her apparent madness made her even more appealing and fascinating. </div>
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A group of British boys just passed my bench here in the park commenting on how clean it is here. I suppose I have to agree with them for the most part. More picture takers just now. It is twilight and soon there will be too little light for portraits and snapshots."</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29274780.post-70053058913265246112013-05-20T21:06:00.000-04:002013-05-20T21:06:05.357-04:00The Cabin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ellen invited me to come away for a girls weekend at the cabin. I have been there exactly twice before. Once, when I was 12 and again towards the end of college. This time was like the last. Her precious father met us there. He had gotten everything opened up, cleaned and ready for us. This is the view. Close your eyes and imagine the perfect amount of balmy breezes blowing gently over tired eyelids. </div>
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Built at the turn of the century. The last one. </div>
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The simplicity of the interior drove me wild this visit. I couldn't get enough visually. The simplicity and the light and the harmony of color, form and functionality. Mostly the functionality. Everything is so tight and neat and orderly. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLexcjVnahA/UZrDEtP6-9I/AAAAAAAAA0c/IgTmEKp6JDk/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLexcjVnahA/UZrDEtP6-9I/AAAAAAAAA0c/IgTmEKp6JDk/s640/DSC_0490.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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The color of the stain on the plywood. The way it made the rooms glow in the sunlight. </div>
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Somehow it was like visual poetry that I couldn't put to words. </div>
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Tell me you don't see it.. then look again. </div>
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One family's paradise. </div>
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Grateful for the sharing. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08388296343468868228noreply@blogger.com0