tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38199505510921389742024-02-20T23:04:27.993-08:00Yellow Brick LifeCharlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-5439869759431799272015-05-14T08:17:00.000-07:002015-05-14T08:19:42.293-07:00Visiting New Orleans<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Reposted from May 2012. We are celebrating a three year journey at </span><span style="line-height: 27.600000381469727px;">seminary</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> that is coming to an end this weekend. We are so thankful for God's grace throughout our time in New Orleans and at NOBTS. It has been infinitely better than we could have asked or imagined! </span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">As I alluded to in an earlier post, there was really nothing in me (or Andrew) to ever want to go back to New Orleans. Not for a visit. Not for a vacation. Not even for a football game. We had both been before on short visits and Andrew had spent an <a href="http://ybricklife.blogspot.com/p/our-story.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">unsuccessful tenure at the seminary</span></a> back in 2008. I say this to drive home the point that the fact that it even came up in conversation (and in a positive way) was an act of God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I distinctly remember how timid Andrew was even mentioning the idea to me. He even told me that he almost didn’t say anything about it at all for fear I might not react very well. <i>Not me.</i> I’m sure he didn’t know that his mention of going back to NOLA was the fringe of a conversation that would change everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">After we got it all out in the open we both realized that God had already brought a measure of healing to our hearts simply through talking. What’s more, we were both experiencing an unusual excitement for a city that the thought of at one time, made me nauseous. If that isn’t Jesus, I don’t know what is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We were left with a weird foggy vision of something God was starting in our lives and a big “what now?” We decided the next logical step was to plan a visit. Andrew wanted to go as soon as possible but we were at the start of a 6 week long whirlwind of busy weekends so we had to wait. I was glad for that because I think it gave us time to come out of the rush of excitement that comes with doing something extreme. It gave us some time to think, plan, reason, and break the news to our families… who mercifully gave us their approval. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The weekend finally came. I could go into ardent detail of every moment. I could honestly devote an entire post to the food alone. But I won’t, for now. I’ll just sum the weekend up with a few words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Joyful. Intriguing. Exciting. Adventurous. Providential. Prayerful. Peaceful. Assured. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">And with that, our decision was an easy one. </span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-78205812531622773802015-05-11T07:50:00.000-07:002015-05-11T07:51:23.197-07:00Mother's Day 2015<span style="font-size: large;">It was probably the best one so far. The first Mother's Day we celebrated with a 10 day old so if we didn't have pictures to prove it, we wouldn't remember it. Last year we celebrated by swimsuit shopping which is as delightful as it sounds (rookie mistake). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andrew kept asking me what I wanted to do this year and I finally decided on a day of "doing what I want to do when I want to do it." Which is only possible to a certain extent when you have a two year old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the day consisted of church, a Dave's hot and juicy with bacon, a Mad Men marathon, a walk, a sea salt and dark chocolate bar, dinner at Outback with friends, and ice cream in bed at 10:30 while watching Shark Tank. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't that all a mother really wants? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was delightful until I woke up puffy from all the water retention that happens when you spend 24 hrs eating trash and watching TV. But I wouldn't trade it for the world!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also decided my gift to myself would be sleeping in on a Monday and I daresay I out gifted everyone. Jamesy and I are still in PJ's. He is playing with Buzz and Woody and I am trying to get things organized for the big graduation week/weekend ahead! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, that's right... Andrew is graduating this Saturday and we couldn't be more excited, relieved, anxious, exhausted, or filled with awe and wonder that this seminary journey is coming to an end. Which is basically how you feel when you have a newborn. And with that, this post has come full circle! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I always complain that I never had good pics with my boy so Andrew captured this one last night. And I've gotta say its a money shot. I can't get enough of those sloppy wet kisses!!!</span><br />
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-90071080784870741102015-05-08T09:52:00.003-07:002015-05-08T09:53:35.533-07:00On Being the Royal Princess's Namesake: An Open Letter to William and Kate<i><span style="font-size: large;">In the media storm that has been my life since the birth of the royal princess, I have not been able to properly and publicly share my deep gratitude toward the royal family for choosing me as the princess's namesake. I hope this letter conveys all that I feel.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Wills and Kate, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My most heartfelt congratulations on the birth of your first daughter. She is a gift to both the two of you and the world, as we are all sure she will fulfill her responsibilities to her title with the dignity and grace of her mother and late grandmother. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO0PdhE2C22VqF8_MppRajV8O0muiAImTniIWH4kPhEuTfWNAKSHpHEuKwqX8UB2EnVzIu7sfkWrIY25PUA4DUDI_2z9uSqqicuDn0ls0-Q0yTnUgCloEwOi1e11WJnL7Nm9NB9cHauPC/s1600/Lindo_kate_eddie_p_3289551c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO0PdhE2C22VqF8_MppRajV8O0muiAImTniIWH4kPhEuTfWNAKSHpHEuKwqX8UB2EnVzIu7sfkWrIY25PUA4DUDI_2z9uSqqicuDn0ls0-Q0yTnUgCloEwOi1e11WJnL7Nm9NB9cHauPC/s400/Lindo_kate_eddie_p_3289551c.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was as surprised as the rest of the waiting world when you announced her name: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. I must say I am honored and a bit taken aback. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kate, you and I have shared everything through the years. I've always known you cared a great deal about our friendship by the way you emulate my fashion sense. But to name your daughter after me alongside both the names of my mother and the late princess? Well, its just too much. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxcH902fpot_z5U1ZqwHgYxvOg-HPG2Tk66_UIwhN3RbKI-kl2eE4geb9Oq40l07qOgJUC_pvsq6Cp_z9aiDhSXo072VcI6k9D_Ot_qXV_Z3LbhHTPBvB9B4BYb1URy5y3wkzh2_9_UTp/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxcH902fpot_z5U1ZqwHgYxvOg-HPG2Tk66_UIwhN3RbKI-kl2eE4geb9Oq40l07qOgJUC_pvsq6Cp_z9aiDhSXo072VcI6k9D_Ot_qXV_Z3LbhHTPBvB9B4BYb1URy5y3wkzh2_9_UTp/s400/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't yet spoken to Pippa. I would imagine this came as quite a surprise to her as well. I'm sure if she is at all hurt by your homage to me, she will understand in time and we will move on the way sisters do. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkXjyJPqNKPQYysk-qGIS_92y83EpdOT_mIyyzg6AmThkaRtbVoYEhVS_1rTard2B_s8RiVt1dduTTkJ4wRbIY_vb993QEqp05kPkwkqotis4AGr8KpX1Ifrbp12dHf0JQCSAKnByue8g/s1600/royal+char.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkXjyJPqNKPQYysk-qGIS_92y83EpdOT_mIyyzg6AmThkaRtbVoYEhVS_1rTard2B_s8RiVt1dduTTkJ4wRbIY_vb993QEqp05kPkwkqotis4AGr8KpX1Ifrbp12dHf0JQCSAKnByue8g/s400/royal+char.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please be assured that I will make every effort to be an exemplary model for our little darling. She is (as well as you, Wills, and sweet George) a very important part of my life. Hope to summer with you soon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the Best and God's Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Charlotte the First</span>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-29443404830172955432015-05-08T08:38:00.003-07:002015-05-08T08:46:20.724-07:00Teaching God's Word to My 2 Year Old<span style="font-size: large;">I've been thinking a lot lately about how to share God's Word with James now that he is 2 and developing his vocabulary and comprehension. I'm sure there are a million ideas out there but here is what has been working for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought James a lot of Bible story picture books. We have the <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431099020&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Jesus Storybook Bible</span></a> </span>but it is a little beyond his attention span right now. Some of the books we got that he really enjoys are: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KF9Hgzy2_d6_gaYwkRLzY7HTXBlrjGt5cKDR6d1KQP51pyf0iHhOzcHPOXT2AQcvVHFd_I5wuKpltnf_VRbWXQdp9g76e2K4K7ojoln_Ti58iEtJ2BaT989CnJm2Zc9GWO8HjIYuWEDC/s1600/gmmtw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KF9Hgzy2_d6_gaYwkRLzY7HTXBlrjGt5cKDR6d1KQP51pyf0iHhOzcHPOXT2AQcvVHFd_I5wuKpltnf_VRbWXQdp9g76e2K4K7ojoln_Ti58iEtJ2BaT989CnJm2Zc9GWO8HjIYuWEDC/s1600/gmmtw.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Made-Me-This-Way/dp/0718016750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431098563&sr=8-1&keywords=god+made+me+this+way" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">God Made Me this Way</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CWRmAta7aac3W-Wxklbahs_k9W0N4V2y5U8Yuq7N1PAu6wwsi9N7OMOD0uKHTJgKnWi4uq4bo5tLezYu5asDDLhFAOkS1fGNXgJ9FBeoZ7lA_qeoVof8T6wPLXZfU1Im78lXzkiPl7kT/s1600/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CWRmAta7aac3W-Wxklbahs_k9W0N4V2y5U8Yuq7N1PAu6wwsi9N7OMOD0uKHTJgKnWi4uq4bo5tLezYu5asDDLhFAOkS1fGNXgJ9FBeoZ7lA_qeoVof8T6wPLXZfU1Im78lXzkiPl7kT/s1600/101.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/101-Bible-Story-Words-First/dp/186024890X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431098699&sr=8-1&keywords=101+bible+story+words" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">101 Bible Story Words</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighWm3b1xTGdl9MrlrGE0ozpoeFQ0bzRt4dV8Tqjm8hXPbggWSecqBLmd3ypu89HNAJt6KOi_5DHHGv_dtvX_qoVhPT_WXMr_AGVWeClB5BRUuua0B4R6F9h1WfZTLmY7-AhBEnf5kYaVl/s1600/touch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighWm3b1xTGdl9MrlrGE0ozpoeFQ0bzRt4dV8Tqjm8hXPbggWSecqBLmd3ypu89HNAJt6KOi_5DHHGv_dtvX_qoVhPT_WXMr_AGVWeClB5BRUuua0B4R6F9h1WfZTLmY7-AhBEnf5kYaVl/s1600/touch.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creation-Touch-Feel-Heather-Henning/dp/0758613849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431098759&sr=8-1&keywords=touch+and+feel+creation" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Touch and Feel Creation</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEn_fsWEhCLab6SZ0oGEmBboOqBnf-WxbGqZDe5LOac_6YSX2SaY5ZD-y_2BrZEOTWPCio0ZnQYvQJGNp_iost8vPdeMNYRkNS4KtOYrbJKrLymhsW-ntmD7e2tU1-_4SIuMp09ukOH8x/s1600/ABC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEn_fsWEhCLab6SZ0oGEmBboOqBnf-WxbGqZDe5LOac_6YSX2SaY5ZD-y_2BrZEOTWPCio0ZnQYvQJGNp_iost8vPdeMNYRkNS4KtOYrbJKrLymhsW-ntmD7e2tU1-_4SIuMp09ukOH8x/s320/ABC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/ABC-Bible-Verse-Book/dp/1934789046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431098783&sr=8-1&keywords=the+abc+bible+verse+book" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">The ABC Bible Verse Book </span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the ABC Bible Verse Book the most because it has a verse that begins with each letter of the alphabet as well as cute illustrations that help drive home the meaning of the verse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was toying with the idea of helping James learn a memory verse but I had some doubts about him memorizing and the last thing I wanted was to pound something as important as God's Word into him and cause him to resent it (and me). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But then I thought about the fact that we are learning our ABC's, songs, colors, body parts, etc. and thought we might be able to learn a Bible verse in the same fun repetitious way. So one day while we were reading the ABC Bible Verse Book we got to the letter G and I knew it was the PERFECT verse to learn first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God is love! 1 John 4:8 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What better foundation could there be for James' understanding of God and his character?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we wrote it on our chalkboard and started practicing...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_pKYXPknnUgKaGhFKptto__vNJ2UtFCxuiHuANBmIZuHeaVvDBGPmtohBFOazcRwYXFvDkD6KJc27kctBjVtikWzPxyUdtHoJIqFd3wRTHsS0VozV4b92VItJB598KJ3TVBBJUpnVS4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_pKYXPknnUgKaGhFKptto__vNJ2UtFCxuiHuANBmIZuHeaVvDBGPmtohBFOazcRwYXFvDkD6KJc27kctBjVtikWzPxyUdtHoJIqFd3wRTHsS0VozV4b92VItJB598KJ3TVBBJUpnVS4/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And low and behold the most precious thing happened! </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_ZsDYmrmrR_9V-3iBvXsGuNjjXN4cXy6zUbdcwavgpdhfKvPtd1caXyzyA7FHhtcTTcnstHrXvwzVq6eP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm praying my sweet boy will always know in his heart of hearts that just like 1+1 will always equal 2 and B will always follow A, God is love and always will be! </span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-64758593524859675232015-05-03T14:29:00.002-07:002015-05-03T14:35:22.063-07:00Crescent Connection 4 Mile Bridge Run<span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember that time <a href="http://ybricklife.blogspot.com/2015/01/that-time-i-did-some-stuff-with-rock-n.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">I crashed that Rock n Roll Marathon blogger meet up</span></a>? Well, it was providential because through <a href="http://www.larisadixon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">a friend</span></a> I made there I have been given the opportunity to run the Crescent Connection Bridge Run as a BLOGGER!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hold your applause, that's not the best part. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I am running the race as an official blogger, I have the great privilege of getting you registered for the race at a discount. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yay me, yay you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the info. Register before May 10!! Contact me if you have any questions or need help. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMpZ_ho1yquMBnmQmvgQdxcPZYMAz6Rmvtwg12mLeKFUjS90WhGxDed9J-Tbg5wA8MeF8TU8uC7JnYXxvdLliGMPCl_l42cbmCktjyFB_gkF2L4e3t3xQillKwzGLFEiKM_9y30AfuBRT/s1600/11198578_10207044621898106_181386021_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMpZ_ho1yquMBnmQmvgQdxcPZYMAz6Rmvtwg12mLeKFUjS90WhGxDed9J-Tbg5wA8MeF8TU8uC7JnYXxvdLliGMPCl_l42cbmCktjyFB_gkF2L4e3t3xQillKwzGLFEiKM_9y30AfuBRT/s1600/11198578_10207044621898106_181386021_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The race is just 4 miles and spans the beautiful Crescent City Connection bridge crossing the Mississippi River... at sunset <i>to boot!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.ccc10k.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CCC</span></a> </span>offers a really doable <a href="http://www.ccc10k.com/uploads/files/Crescent%20Connection%20Bridge%20Run%204%20mile%20Training2015.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">training plan</span></a> for both joggers and walkers. And if you start today, you are only a few days behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a tough few months for me and this race could not be coming at a better time. I'm excited to hit the reset button, set some goals, and gear up for a great summer kickoff at the Bridge Run. WHO'S IN?!?!?!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3819950551092138974%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-oHI4NOezE_A%252FVUaQi_TwyVI%252FAAAAAAAABFU%252FLyFGL7wAWrY%252Fs1600%252F11198578_10207044621898106_181386021_n.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 438px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3819950551092138974%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-oHI4NOezE_A%252FVUaQi_TwyVI%252FAAAAAAAABFU%252FLyFGL7wAWrY%252Fs1600%252F11198578_10207044621898106_181386021_n.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 438px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-73179430604664068252015-03-17T14:10:00.001-07:002015-03-17T14:10:57.843-07:00Most Embarrassing Moment <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7K5oEdOogvyPVQWK1O8y1GaIoHG5Yj3QdQD_p0NafUnePpFDt7l2Y3t5a_eHsk6Ef8royARDgFKAJIP4128YUK2D0ZE0p8sv8xES7JmJb_XDUlilijwh1qZ6z9PxuZlgHhCHmsHE4_cs8/s1600/Show+and+Tell+-+Most+Embarrassing+Moments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7K5oEdOogvyPVQWK1O8y1GaIoHG5Yj3QdQD_p0NafUnePpFDt7l2Y3t5a_eHsk6Ef8royARDgFKAJIP4128YUK2D0ZE0p8sv8xES7JmJb_XDUlilijwh1qZ6z9PxuZlgHhCHmsHE4_cs8/s1600/Show+and+Tell+-+Most+Embarrassing+Moments.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I saw that <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Momfessionals</span></a> was doing a link up today about most embarrassing moments I knew I had to write a blog post. First, because there is no shortage of material for me to write about but mostly because my MOST embarrassing moment also happens to be one of my best memories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was Spring of 2004 and I was crushing hard on this really cute red head named Andrew Donaldson. As luck would have it (and we all know <a href="http://ybricklife.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">I'm a lucky dog</span></a>) I had won 4 tickets to a nearby amusement park because I was the 9th caller to our local radio station and correctly named who performed at the Superbowl halftime show. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I chose to invite my best friend, her boyfriend, and... dun dun dunnnnnnn ANDREW DONALDSON. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He said yes and I'm pretty sure I celebrated by buying a new swimsuit, spending some time in the tanning bed, and picking up some Golden Corral rolls with my bestie. This pretty much sums up 2004 for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day of fun at the amusement park came and it was so crowded that we had to park a half a mile away on the side of the road. We rode all the rides and did all the things and when it was time to go Andrew and I decided to walk to get the car and just pick our friends up at the gate. I was pretty sure this was a ploy to spend some alone time with me so I mustered up all the cutest, sweetest, wittiest, coolest things I could think of to impress Andrew. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being the ever chivalrous man that he is, Andrew insisted I walk on the inside so I didn't get hit by a car. So I did. However, I did not take into account the fact that it had rained earlier and it being South Georgia and all, the ground was mud. I'm sure I had on some kind of platform flip-flops with zero traction that did not help the situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were walking along and I was so focused on impressing this boy that I was not looking where I was stepping. As you probably have already guessed, I slipped. However, since I was walking on the inside I didn't just slip and fall down. I slipped and fell down into mud which slid my tan little fanny down </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">down into the bottom of the ditch. On the side of the road. Do you guys have a visual?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andrew described it like this, "It was like you were there one minute and then disappeared the next." He said he just looked around for a while before he realized where I was. I'm sure since he was preparing for ministry and all he might have had a moment of terror at the thought that I had been raptured and he missed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just sat there in the ditch unable to organize my thoughts because it was so dark and I wasn't really sure where I was either. <i>Hello God? Is that you?</i> Fortunately, the Lord allowed me to see another day on earth. I made it out of the ditch. And somehow Andrew Donaldson didn't write me off then and there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It still lives on as one of the funniest things that's ever happened to me and even though I was mortified, I'm glad for the memory!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3819950551092138974%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-8JnsO2yRlSE%252FVQiXo09w1hI%252FAAAAAAAABEs%252F7ofpL-ngRZg%252Fs1600%252FShow%25252Band%25252BTell%25252B-%25252BMost%25252BEmbarrassing%25252BMoments.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3819950551092138974%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-8JnsO2yRlSE%252FVQiXo09w1hI%252FAAAAAAAABEs%252F7ofpL-ngRZg%252Fs1600%252FShow%25252Band%25252BTell%25252B-%25252BMost%25252BEmbarrassing%25252BMoments.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-47115669725566809482015-03-10T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-10T06:01:17.494-07:00What's Up With James?<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I'd do a catch up post on the little fella so I could remember what he is like at the sweet age of almost two. After all, this blog was intended to document our time in New Orleans and as it turns out, James Timothy Donaldson has become a pretty big part of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">James has the longest eyelashes known to man. I would gladly trade with him any day and never have to wear mascara again.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/82FDBFA3-C266-45BA-A517-B05DC3149D61_zpsl8hzwlrf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/82FDBFA3-C266-45BA-A517-B05DC3149D61_zpsl8hzwlrf.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">James is a weird eater. He goes through phases of eating like a horse and then barely eating at all. He JUST started eating chicken in addition to bacon and those are the only meats he will touch. This proves he is an American male living in the South. Otherwise, he loves grapes, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, apples, milk, cheese, yogurt, mac n cheese, cheerios, shredded wheat, animal crackers, raisins, and french fries. And all sweets except ice cream. Weird.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/B131AAB3-45D2-4E5B-BCA6-8398D4C2106A_zpsnq1uu9l7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/B131AAB3-45D2-4E5B-BCA6-8398D4C2106A_zpsnq1uu9l7.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have really loved having a baby in New Orleans. There are so many things we enjoy doing with James around the city. Some of our favorites are the Audubon Zoo, City Park, LaFreniere Park, Story Time at the Norman Mayer Library, the LA Children's Museum, Palm Tree Playground, playing at the Disney Store and PB Kids, and like most other moms and tots - Chick-fil-a!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/60918109-6560-49F9-8203-BAF4897C8CC2_zpsy46stkty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/60918109-6560-49F9-8203-BAF4897C8CC2_zpsy46stkty.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">James loves to read (finally, this took a while) and his little attention span is getting longer and longer. Some of our favorites are Giggle, Goodnight Nola (which he calls nite nite gola), Chugga Chugga Choo Choo, Talking Train, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Little Blue Truck and a book just called Trucks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">James is always happy when he is outside. This is one characteristic that has stayed exactly the same since he was born. So, we go for A LOT of walks and play on the playground almost every day. There are some major perks of living at the seminary. We have 3 playgrounds and a lot of green space to safely explore. James also can't get enough of watching the train go by right outside our apartment. Which leads me to his biggest obsession....</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/8BD6B59E-85FA-48B4-B791-D4FE524146BE_zpsk46x8def.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/8BD6B59E-85FA-48B4-B791-D4FE524146BE_zpsk46x8def.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Planes, Trains and Automobiles! The kid loves machinery. He even got really enthralled when NASCAR came on TV the other day. I never thought a day would come when I would be watching NASCAR and saying things like "Sweetie, where's your backhoe loader?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">James also adores playing "airplane" with his daddy. Andrew puts him on his back and runs around. Just watching them is exhausting so when James asks me to do it I tell him I can't because I'm too little. HA! (He will probably figure out pretty soon that this is the furthest thing from a good excuse!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/e77dad46-48df-4c01-9f3f-4a83eeae7d4b_zpsymzejjzq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/e77dad46-48df-4c01-9f3f-4a83eeae7d4b_zpsymzejjzq.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">James really has the sweetest little spirit and is truly a joy to everyone he meets. He gives lots of hugs and kisses. He loves his grandparents and always has the best time when he gets to visit with them. He is so blessed to have some pretty incredible cousins who adore him. And the feeling is definitely mutual! The hardest thing about having James in New Orleans is being so far from our families. We miss them all the time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpXEPsYi0DeZMuxe5dL_XFBCFTfHqMU7Mko1PasCAeENiXUoh12lpQRXgmA2S7Ud8OJnJnqz4r5chc7RzLUQo079W0BTGeWb82htG3cyjUSbGJmwOXxirb7zYScUWX7M5Ii4SrfeRB9Nj/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpXEPsYi0DeZMuxe5dL_XFBCFTfHqMU7Mko1PasCAeENiXUoh12lpQRXgmA2S7Ud8OJnJnqz4r5chc7RzLUQo079W0BTGeWb82htG3cyjUSbGJmwOXxirb7zYScUWX7M5Ii4SrfeRB9Nj/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">James, you are the best thing that ever happened to your daddy and me. We love you more than anything and know you are going to grow up to be an amazing man of God. It is a joy to be your mama. I love you!!</span><br />
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<br />Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-15450805285780784172015-03-05T12:14:00.000-08:002015-03-05T12:14:34.953-08:00How I Use My Erin Condren Life PlannerHey Girls!<br />
<br />
Let's talk planners. I am not very organized but I find a lot of success keeping my ducks in a row with a paper planner. I haven't been able to get on board with electronic calendars so if that's your thing this is not the post for you. (I'm talking to you Andrew!). My only criteria for a good planner has been that it needs to be fairly compact, have a monthly and weekly display, and plenty of room to write on each day.<br />
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I had been eyeing the <a href="https://www.erincondren.com/" target="_blank">Erin Condren Life Planner</a> for about two years but wasn't comfortable committing to the higher price tag. But then last year the planner I bought at Target was a dud and things got a little out of whack in life. So I took the plunge after reading COUNTLESS reviews just like this one and received my shiny new ECLP the first week of January.<br />
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There are plenty of other spots online to read about the ECLP but I have had several folks in my real life ask me about it so I thought ya'll might like to know my experience with it in case you are thinking about getting your own!!<br />
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<i>Disclaimer: I am not being compensated AT ALL by Erin Condren. They have no idea who I am. The point of this post is just to inform y'all about a product I am recommending to every woman I talk to these days!</i><br />
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So here are some pics of my ECLP. You can explore all the endless options for covers and personalization on the website so I won't spend much time telling you about that. (sorry for the fuzzy iPhone shots)<br />
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Let me tell you some of the things I keep track of in my ECLP:</div>
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<u>On the Monthly View Calendar </u></div>
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1. <b>Important dates and appointments.</b> (This is where my 11 year old self would say, "duh.") I will jot down events and appointments in the monthly view as they arise and then use that as a reference to write them in the weekly view when I do my weekly planning on Sunday. </div>
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2. <b>Bills.</b> Andrew is our primary money man but there are a couple of payments I am responsible for so I have those marked on the monthly view on the day's I need to mail/pay them. NOT ON THE DAY THEY ARE DUE. I try to mail/pay them about a week before they are actually due.</div>
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3. <b>Birthdays.</b> EC includes some cute little stickers for birthdays, hair appointments, etc. that are precious but not necessary. However, I do tend to use them from time to time to accentuate the day of someone's birth. I do as many of these as I can as soon as I get my planner for the year. Not only does it help me remember but it also helps me budget for presents! If you are a scrapbooker you will LOVE the stickers.</div>
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4. <b>That time of the month.</b> You can only fight the crazy if you know its coming. I think thats in Proverbs :)</div>
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5. <b>Vacations/Holidays/Guests Visiting/Travels.</b> I like to draw a thin line through all the days that any of these events are taking place and write them in ALL CAPS. (Don't ask me why). </div>
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6. <b>Grocery Budget.</b> In the sidebar of the calendar are some lines for notes and this is where I keep track of my grocery budget. And lest you think I'm good at it- I ALWAYS go over.</div>
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Blankish Monthly View (don't you love the inspirational quotes at the top of every month?)</div>
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Appointment Stickers</div>
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<u>On the Weekly View Calendar</u> (this is where it gets good)<br />
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1. <b>Meal Plan.</b> At the bottom of each day are four lines and on one of them I write that night's dinner. I do this planning on Sunday.<br />
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2. <b>Weekly Bible Reading Plan.</b> This varies depending on what I'm studying but I will write the passage I am reading for that day on another line at the bottom or at the very top of the day in the Morning section. This is also part of my Sunday planning.<br />
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3. <b>Workout Plan. </b>I will write how I intend to work out on yet another one of the lines at the bottom of each day or in the slot for the time of day I plan to do it. (This hasn't been going great for me this year.)<br />
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4. <b>Goal or Verse for the week. </b>I write these on the notes section. Usually its just something to encourage or motivate me to get through the week.<br />
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5. <b>To Do Lists.</b> This includes errands, housework, phone calls or emails to respond to, or any other household business that needs to be taken care of. I generally write these in the section of the day I plan to do them, usually "day" because that translates to "nap time" for me.<br />
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6. <b>Meetings or Appointments. </b>See #1 in monthly view.<br />
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7. <b>Thoughts/Ideas/Baby Milestones/Brainstorming/Answered Prayers.</b> I basically try to use up the paper on my weekly calendar when I have an idea or something happens that I want to remember. My planners have always been little journals to me and I love looking back at them.<br />
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8. <b>Prayer Plan.</b> I will plum forget to pray about some things and writing down prayer needs helps me remember. I write this in the morning section because that is the time of day I set aside for focused prayer.<br />
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Up close blank view:<br />
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Filled in full week view:<br />
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<u>Some Other Tidbits</u><br />
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There are several sheets of lined and blank paper in the back for notes. Like probably 25ish. I use those with discretion because they are limited.<br />
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There is a great little plastic zipper pocket at the back where I keep receipts from the grocery store.<br />
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There is a small two pocket folder<br />
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There is a perpetual calendar that is a separate little booklet that I haven't used yet.<br />
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There is a moveable plastic bookmark that I use to mark the week I am in. It is included.<br />
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I purchased the pen holder in addition to the Life Planner and I feel it was more than worth it.<br />
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You get all kinds of extra little goodies and stickers with your LP purchase!!!<br />
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So Girls, if you are interested I would say get yourself one. I feel like I am getting more than my money's worth out of mine and it is only March!!<br />
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They are currently selling the Jan-Dec 2015 LP's but will soon have 18month Jul 2015-Dec 2016 LP's available. I'm guessing like May/Juneish? But maybe sooner.<br />
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If you decide to make a purchase please use my referral code below, I will get $10 and probably use it to buy you a birthday present! Let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them!<br />
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<a href="javascript:void(0);">https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/charlottedonaldson1217</a></div>
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<br />Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-55441567306519724342015-01-28T13:14:00.000-08:002015-01-28T13:14:22.032-08:00That time I did some stuff with Rock N Roll Marathon New OrleansHey Party People!<br />
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I was sitting here during nap time and had a wild hair to write a blog post. Its clear to me that I can consistently blog only once a year. I could go into a long list of excuses about my absence but you only enjoy reading the same old thing so many times, amiright? And this is America so let's skip it!<br />
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*<i>Everyone sighs with relief*</i><br />
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I had the opportunity to go to my first ever blogger meet up last Saturday. Technically it was a "tweet up" but that sounds so silly that I feel funny even thinking it. It turned out to be one of the weirdest days of my life. Mainly because I hardly consider myself a "blogger" anymore (if I ever was one to begin with) and also because it was a meet up of bloggers who are also runners, namely Rock N Roll Marathon bloggers and I have nary a marathon to speak of. Nor half marathon. You may be wondering why on earth I was there? Me too.<br />
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But seriously, I went on a whim with my good friend <a href="https://glitteronthego.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Leah</a> who is both a blogger and RNR 1/2 Marathoner and who also happened to be volunteering at the race. Since I am none of those things, I just played along and met some really cool people, had some free beignets and coffee (thanks RNR Marathon!) and wound up mingling with the likes of Saint's Kicker Thomas Morstead at a charity event. See, an ordinary day in the life of a stay home mom can get pretty exciting.<br />
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I got home that afternoon thinking, "what did I even just do?," and "I hope all of these neat people don't find out that I'm not really a blogger or runner (and still use the word <i>neat),</i>" and also, "wow, my picture is on a lot of the RNR New Orleans social media, was that my 15 minutes?" and lastly, "is there any way I can get sued for any of this?"<br />
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*<i>Prone to anxiety and worst-case-scenarios.* </i><br />
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But not really because I confessed to at least three important people that I didn't really belong there. And wouldn't you know that those funky-rock-n-rolling athletes didn't mind one bit. They were just happy to be having a fun time in New Orleans. Even if it was with an outsider like me! Or maybe it was because they were focused on Thomas Morstead?<br />
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Either way I had a ball. And who knows, if the saying "fake it til you make it"<i> </i>is true, I could be running a marathon soon!<br />
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Thanks for inviting me <a href="https://glitteronthego.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">LEAH</a>!<br />
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XOXO<br />
CharlotteCharlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-53740689548118190332014-04-29T09:29:00.002-07:002014-04-30T11:12:39.611-07:00Back in the Saddle Again<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a cliff hanger! Last time I wrote I had not even given
birth yet. You’ll be happy to know the baby has been born. In fact, a moment
ago I blinked my eyes and now he is one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One year old. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much has happened over the past 12 months. My dignity is glad I didn’t
choose my blog to share the details as they were happening because lets just
say, EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest happenings were that we had James (duh), changed jobs, and moved apartments! We are still in New Orleans on campus but in a newer, nicer, centrally heated and cooled apartment. Hallelujah. And<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Andrew has his first official job as a
real life pastor at a real church with an actual congregation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to imply that he
once had a fictional job as pastor of a church with an imaginary congregation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least not to my
knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either way, I am beyond proud of him and the job he is doing!</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am staying home
with my sweet James and as cliché as it might sound, it is the hardest and
most rewarding job I've ever had.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have intentions of
cranking up the old blog again but there is always the chance that my track
record will get the better of me. Until it doesn’t and I restart for the 42nd time. But who’s counting? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just in case you
aren’t my Facebook or Instagram or Twitter friend (which I am about as
consistent with as this blog) here are some sweet sweet pictures of my sweet
sweet boy throughout this year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Much Love.</span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-43210761185899485962013-04-18T05:56:00.002-07:002013-04-18T05:57:06.840-07:00The "D" Word... Getting ready for labor<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">So labor appears to be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">approaching</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"> at a more rapid pace than I expected it to and well, it's not what I expected. </span><br />
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I'm putting it out there because it will be interesting to see what actually transpires. James may enjoy being holed up in the womb until Cinco de Mayo for all I know... we shall see.</div>
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I am kind of modest and even though I share parts of my life on a blog for all the world to see, I don't share everything. So in the interest of full disclosure, I get all squirmy and weird feeling when I use the word "dilation." I don't know what is appropriate but I only feel comfortable talking about it with a very small handful of people. </div>
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That being said, it feels weird for me to even bring it up on the blog. BUT because I have been told I am going through a semi-unusual experience for a first time mom, I will hesitantly share with you that the doctor says that I am doing the "d" word and as of yesterday was "more than three but less than five." And that's all I will say about that. </div>
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Gah. Glad that's over. </div>
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You wont see me Tweeting these sorts of updates all through labor but I did want to ask, what has your experience been? </div>
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I keep getting pats on the back about it and I'm all, <i>Thanks?</i></div>
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But on the inside I'm all, <i>What does it mean?!</i></div>
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James is not due for another 10 days and my Dr. keeps smiling slyly and telling me I'm very "favorable" for labor. </div>
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Well, I certainly hope so. The baby must come out. </div>
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Does she mean he is coming soon? Does it mean an easy breezy delivery is in my future? Is there such a thing? </div>
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And it's 2013 for crying out loud, why can't they predict these things already? </div>
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Do they not know I have family traveling from high and low to dote on this child? </div>
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And my floors can only stay swept for so long... </div>
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So if there is anyone out there who has the spiritual gift of telling me when my baby will be born, please please please let me know. </div>
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I asked James and he didn't say a word. I guess that will be the first thing we work on... speak when you are spoken to, son. </div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-21425838672173623662013-04-15T06:56:00.001-07:002013-04-15T06:56:27.447-07:0038 Weeks and a Baseball Game!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I had planned to show you guys the really incredible maternity pictures we took last week but it will have to wait until later when I understand how to put pictures from a DVD onto my computer...</span><br />
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In other news we will be having a baby probably in the next two weeks and all I could think about starting yesterday was the possibility that any day this week might be exactly one week from the day we have our baby and I wont even know it. If you could follow that, thanks for riding the crazy train with me. </div>
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I'm not sure why that thought blows my mind but it is probably because even though this baby is bigger than ever and I am more aware of his presence than ever, it still feels 100% surreal. Honestly, I just have to try not to think about it sometimes because the flood of emotions is too much and my poor little mind gets carried away. </div>
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Don't get me wrong, I am BEYOND excited but even the excitement can be a little overwhelming. </div>
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We had such a great weekend this weekend. Some of the boys from the youth group Andrew and I helped with in college are now in college themselves and play baseball. They had a double header in Mobile so we made the drive over to see them play. </div>
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/8B8CA718-07E1-4C32-861C-8C907FEBA2D1-9733-00000EDB1B356617_zps73abd8f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/8B8CA718-07E1-4C32-861C-8C907FEBA2D1-9733-00000EDB1B356617_zps73abd8f6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't think we had seen them in 3 years and ohmygosh it was so great to catch up! We are so proud of them and the men they have become. Andrew and I could not stop talking about it all the way home. Love them!!! </div>
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The other best parts of the weekend included:</div>
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- Zaxby's (which we do not have within 2 hours of NOLA)</div>
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- A stellar racer-back sunburn because it means summer is almost here</div>
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- New sheets for our bed</div>
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- Sleeping almost all day Sunday</div>
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- Some majorly yummy homemade strawberry shortcake at Lifegroup</div>
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- Scott and Sarah showing us our beautiful maternity pics</div>
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- Waking up this morning to start my last week of work!!!!!!!</div>
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And lastly, here's the view from 37 and 38 weeks pregnant. Happy Monday to all!</div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-75095371857057598682013-04-01T09:33:00.001-07:002013-04-01T09:35:52.097-07:0036 Weeks and Hating Nail Polish<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Aside from all the morning sickness and crazy emotions and all the
normal pregnancy things that happen to everybody, I have had the STRANGEST
aversion to nail polish. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me start
off by saying that I don't think I have gone more than <i>one hour</i> without polish on my toes in the last 13 years. That is
not hyperbole people, that is real truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some
strange reason after I found out I was pregnant last August, I took off my
"end of summer" coral toe polish and I haven't painted the darn
things since. I think I was a little paranoid about chemicals and what-have-you
in the beginning. Which also caused me to go a few days sans deodorant and I
even tried washing my face with olive oil. Fortunately for everyone, that ended
pretty quickly and I am happily back together with my Secret and anything
Sephora has to offer my skin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not nail
polish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I keep
thinking I will get the urge to grab a new spring color or go get a pedicure
but I don't. And I certainly don't have the energy to contort my body so that
my hands reach my feet for three coats and a sealer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is so weird. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of me
feels a little embarrassed that my toes are naked but the other part feels sort
of liberated. Does this mean I'm becoming a feminist? Doubt it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty
sure I'll get them painted before James comes. I'll paint them for the same
reason I laid out at the beach Friday to get a tan, and am hoping my bangs grow
out a little more, and have written down in 12 different places not to forget
my makeup bag and CHI when we leave for the hospital... <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because infant
boys ALWAYS care that their moms are tanned and coiffed. Duh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #222222;">Please don’t hate me as much as I hate
myself for writing that</span></i><span style="color: #222222;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhow, here
is what's going on at 36 weeks gestation!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">How far along?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> 36 whole weeks<u1:p></u1:p>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Baby is the size of...</span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"> honeydew melon.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Best moment this week?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> Going to the beach on Friday!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Miss anything?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> I miss sleeping on my back and
stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Movement?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> Big ones! I swear I feel a
little foot sometimes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Sleep?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> I sleep really well when I am
asleep, I just hate having to get up or roll over a billion times a night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Food cravings?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> Ice. Ice. Ice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">What makes you queasy/sick?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> Nada.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Other symptoms?</span></strong><span style="color: #222222;"> Hating nail polish??<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background-image: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking forward to...</span></span></span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;"><span style="background-image: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Andrew’s parents coming this weekend,
our Dr. apt on Tuesday, and finishing the nursery!</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;"><span style="background-image: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-54779093456402711622013-03-25T08:01:00.002-07:002013-03-25T08:04:16.367-07:00Andrew Weekend<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">We spent Monday-Thursday acting like it was Friday night so by the time the weekend actually rolled around we were plum tired. </span><br />
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I had been wanting to take some time to have an Andrew weekend where he got to pick everything we did and I would cook him anything he wanted or take him anywhere he wanted to go. I just thought it would be fun to celebrate what a great husband and soon to be dad he is. And let's face it... every weekend is Charlotte weekend and the boy deserves a break once in a while.<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">Late Friday afternoon we decided this would be a good weekend to do it since he didn't have to work Saturday so we headed to the grocery store to get all the things to fulfill his requests. He chose </span><a href="http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2012/01/sorry-i-dont-eat-buffalo.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> (say that 5 times fast) for Friday and steak, twice baked potatoes, Caesar salad and homemade brownies for Saturday. Man food.</span></div>
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We came home and I got to cooking and he got to sanding a piece of furniture that we had been putting off painting for a good six weeks. He got a coat of primer on it and we sat down to eat and I honestly can't remember what happened after that. I guess we went to bed.</div>
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Andrew got up ridiculously early Saturday and I slept until 9. We had coffee and he finished a big research paper. We continued working on the piece of furniture and confirmed the fact that I can't paint anything in less than 9000 very thin coats of paint. And it's still not finished.</div>
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He decided he wanted leftover Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese for lunch and to go to City Park. So we did. When we got there, there were about 2 billion other people there because someone decided to get married and someone else decided to have a barbecue competition. </div>
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We spent 15 minutes finding a parking spot and 10 walking around before we decided it was windy and cold and not close enough for me to get to a bathroom easily. So we went back home.</div>
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We hung out and painted and got going on cooking dinner. Andrew decided he wanted to rent Skyfall so after we enjoyed our steaks (which by the way were cooked by Andrew and by far the best he has ever grilled) we sat down to watch the movie and have brownies. </div>
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And since we are approximately 83 years old in our hearts, around 8:30 we decided it was getting late and we'd better go to bed and finish the movie the next day. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Sunday was pretty normal. We went to church, ate more leftover BCM&C (he loves the stuff) and I grocery shopped while Andrew helped a friend move. I also got to stop by the hospital and visit with my friend </span><a href="http://ourlifeonabudget.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Stasia</span> </a><span style="color: #222222;">who just had a baby girl! </span></div>
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We cleaned up the apartment in mad dash like always and hosted Lifegroup. Then we finished Skyfall and went to bed early. Again.</div>
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And that is the story of how Andrew chose to spend his special weekend!</div>
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And how I gained three pounds. </div>
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<a href="http://www.themollybuckley.com/" target="_blank" title="stillbeingmolly"><img alt="stillbeingmolly" height="200" src="http://www.themollybuckley.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yolomondays200x200lightpinkFINAL.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="200" /></a></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-27401416742355145672013-03-21T06:42:00.001-07:002013-03-21T06:43:14.444-07:0034 Weeks and a Giveaway!<br />
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Well technically 34.5714.</div>
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Also known as 34 weeks and 4 days.</div>
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And believe me, every. day. counts. </div>
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This has been a pretty fun week. Andrew is on spring break and even though we are both working this week, everything feels a little more relaxed.</div>
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Monday night we went to dinner at Dat Dog. It was delicious. What pregnant woman doesn't love an enormous Guiness dog with chilli, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and onion? Oh, with a side of cheddar, bacon, ranch fries please. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">We went with our friends </span><a href="http://glitteronthego.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Leah</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://mrfraziersblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Adrian</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> who also have fun blogs. (Leah is hosting an awesome giveaway right now, scroll to the bottom to check it out!) They are practically professional runners but they still eat crazy hot dogs which I think is awesome. I somehow didn't get a pic of Adrian... sorry Adrian!</span></div>
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Tuesday I had my first New Orleans snowball with my OTHER friend named Leah. It was green apple flavored and it was heaven. I told Andrew he needed to work an extra $40 into the budget because I would be requiring a snowball every day until James comes. </div>
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Also, we are house sitting for a family on campus who have a real live, stand-alone home, with central AC and a jacuzzi tub and a king sized bed. So basically I feel like we are on our honeymoon again except we have to go to work everyday and feed the dog. Miss Laura even left a tray for breakfast in bed! I love it and I don't want it to be over. </div>
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Lastly, our friends Matt and Leigh Anna from Georgia are here with their beautiful baby girl. Matt is taking a workshop on campus so Leigh Anna and I are getting to spend time hanging out with James' future wife, Maddie Claire. </div>
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Week 34 of pregnancy has been really good to me so far. I'm sleeping really well and loving peanut butter banana protein shakes among all other food known to man. Seems like that is all I can talk about these days.<br />
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See that real jacuzzi tub in the background? Pretty awesome! Have a great day before Friday!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Also...</span></div>
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The first <a href="http://glitteronthego.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Leah</a> I mentioned, the running one, is hosting her first ever giveaway on her blog!! She is giving away an Endorphin Warrior bracelet. These are awesome bracelets that can be worn while working out and have motivating and inspirational phrases on them. I totally want the <i>conquer</i> one to get my mind set for getting back in shape after James comes!! </div>
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<a href="http://www.endorphinwarrior.com/Running_and_triathlon_jewelry_Conquer_Bracelet_p/wtb004.htm" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.endorphinwarrior.com/v/vspfiles/photos/WTB004-2T.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Go enter to win <a href="http://glitteronthego.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/what-ya-thinking-about-wednesday-a-giveaway/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>!!!</span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-64115448806336043972013-03-20T07:02:00.003-07:002013-03-20T12:49:50.822-07:00No More Google Reader<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">If you peruse blogs you might have heard that come July, Google will no longer provide the Google Reader service. </span><br />
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I didn't even know what Google Reader or any RSS reader was until about a year ago. When I realized that I could "follow" other blogs and they could all be compiled in my "reader" it was like a whole new world opened up to me.</div>
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Suddenly I didn't have to bookmark my favorite blogs in my browser or try to remember which ones I liked to read and search for them. They were all seamlessly compiled in my Google Reader where I could scroll through one by one. Google Reader told me which blogs had new posts so I could easily browse through the newest content on all my favorites. </div>
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Going through my reader pretty much became my favorite way to procrastinate at work everyday. </div>
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<i>Kidding.</i></div>
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I was pretty disappointed to find out that there will no longer be Google Reader in July and I am still holding on to hope that they may change their minds, but in the meantime...</div>
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There are a couple alternative readers that I am trying to figure out in case Google doesn't read my blog and comply with my wishes. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">They are<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/" target="_blank"> </a></span><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Bloglovin</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://www.feedly.com/home#welcome" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Feedly</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. Here are some screen shots because this post would be boring without some pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">If you have Google Reader, or are like I was not long ago and don't have any way to compile your favorite blogs, I would encourage you to try these. </span></div>
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Just sign up, search for, and add all your favorite blogs (kind of like following friends on Twitter or Facebook). You can even import your Google Reader blogs into both of these services.</div>
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And if Yellow Brick Life happens to be one of the blogs you like, you can click on the tab at the top on my page that says "Bloglovin" or the one on the sidebar to follow there! </div>
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I hope that didn't sound too in your face. I want you to like me but I would never try to tell you what to do. </div>
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Anywho, happy reading! I'd better get back to work now...</div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-60122616315253043112013-03-15T08:29:00.001-07:002013-03-15T08:29:40.517-07:00Friday Five<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I haven't even blogged this week but I'm still here and life is still moving forward. I thought I would do a little Friday five recap of this week and since I am a little behind on updating, I'm going to start with last weekend.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #222222;">{Mama coming to NOLA}</b><span style="color: #222222;"> Last weekend my mama and her best friend, Miss Ann, came for a long weekend in New Orleans. We had a great time going to the doctor, shopping, relaxing, and eating. We got all the baby stuff washed and ate an amazing brunch at </span><a href="http://www.elizabethsrestaurantnola.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Elizabeth's</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. We had praline bacon as an appetizer which was basically bacon covered in a butter/brown sugar glaze. I had the bananas foster french toast as my meal. It was scrumdidiliumptious. </span></div>
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<b>{Parenthood}</b> Andrew and I have really been into the show Parenthood and have basically blown through all four seasons in about 3 or 4 weeks. I know it sounds silly but I think it has been a good conversation starter for us on parenting dilemmas we might never talk about. I'll pause the show and be like, "If that were James what would we do?" I know it's impossible to know but it's kind of good chatting about it. We will be wrapping up season 4 tonight. I haven't handled everything going on with Kristina this season very well, and I'm pretty glad we will finish it before I'm 39 million weeks pregnant and a basket case. That might be too much.</div>
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<b>{City Park}</b> Andrew surprised me on Tuesday afternoon by telling me to get in the car because we were going to walk around City Park. I was SO excited to spend a beautiful spring afternoon with him on a Tuesday, which happens to be my least favorite day. It was great even though I had to go to the bathroom 3 times in 30 minutes. </div>
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<b>{The Bachelor} </b>All I gotta say is, I'm glad it's over. I'm part of the .0002% of the world who is not swooning over Sean. I kind of suspect he is not all he is cracked up to be. I know the only other person in this galaxy who agrees is my sister-in-law.. but we are cool with that. </div>
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<b style="color: #222222;">{Date night}</b><span style="color: #222222;"> This hasn't technically happened yet but it is happening come 4:30 this afternoon. Some of our sweetest friends gave us a gift card that is good for two awesome New Orleans restaurants. One is </span><a href="http://juansflyingburrito.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Juan's Flying Burrito</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">... a fave of ours. The other is a really neat looking pizza place called </span><a href="http://slicepizzeria.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Slice Pizzeria</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. Not sure what we will pick but I'm pretty sure it will go something like this: </span></div>
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I'll want to try Slice because I have something in my DNA that makes me want to try new things even if the alternative is something that I know I love. </div>
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Andrew will want to go to Juan's because he has something in his DNA that makes him want to always stick with what he knows he loves and not risk disappointment by trying new things. (And he is recently into spicy everything.) </div>
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We will end up at one of the two and just enjoy the fact that we don't have to cook, clean, or pay. And since we went at 4:30 we beat the crowd and can be in bed by 7, finish Parenthood, and be asleep by 8:30. It will be a glorious Friday night and everyone will come out a winner. </div>
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I realize 99% of this post was about percentages (weird), food, and T.V. but that's life right now! </div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">Have a GREAT weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Linking up with these cool blogs:</span></div>
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<a href="http://joy-southernsocialite.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj528/smrpt/friday5200x200_zps1757a6a9.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://liferearranged.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/instafridaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="life rearranged" border="0" height="120" src="http://liferearranged.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/instafridaybutton.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.frommygreydeskblog.com/search/label/high%20five%20for%20friday" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" photo H54Fbutton-triangle_zps678b65ba.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd361/lauren_FMGD/H54Fbutton-triangle_zps678b65ba.jpg" /></a></div>
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</span></a>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-48176342407087010152013-03-14T12:17:00.001-07:002013-03-14T12:30:39.132-07:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3894271/?claim=csf9e5ueu2u">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-36829467987401969082013-03-04T08:27:00.001-08:002013-03-04T08:28:52.336-08:00The Weekend I Felt Like a Tired Whale<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">This weekend pregnancy fatigue and discomfort really started setting in. I was having a hard time accepting the fact that I probably needed to slow down and rest, especially on the weekends. In my initial denial I committed myself to baking 4 dozen muffins, completing 3 major nursery projects, taking a friend's maternity pictures, cooking 2 labor intensive meals, going to breastfeeding class, going to Sunday school and church, and hosting Lifegroup. </span><br />
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By Saturday at 1:00PM I found myself so tired that I wanted to lay down on the carpet at the breastfeeding class and take a nap. It was clear in the first 10 minutes that babies have an innate ability to find the boob and Andrew was there to take notes, so what was the harm? I made the choice to exercise my social graces and not lay down in the middle of the floor but my exhaustion resulted in a little meltdown later that afternoon. I felt like I just couldn't be all I could be anymore and it was driving me crazy and making me feel behind in life. </div>
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The good news is, Andrew and I ended up having a really helpful conversation about priorities and resting and making the most of the next few weeks together and not over-committing and avoiding run on sentences. Not really about that last part. </div>
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I didn't get everything done that I had planned, but I think I got the important things done. The others can wait. Or be forgotten altogether. It helped that the city of New Orleans went under a boil water advisory on Sunday which meant I couldn't wash my dishes. Oh darn. </div>
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I did complete a couple of nursery things that I am pretty happy with. </div>
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I bought the wooden letters at Hobby Lobby for about $10 and painted them. The stripes were an afterthought. I may do a little tutorial about it because it got a little confusing and there might be at least one other person in cyber space as remedial as me when it comes to crafts. </div>
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I covered this lamp shade with a $3.50 fabric scrap, also from Hobby Lobby, and painted the base of the lamp. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">If it weren't for my stellar photography, you would be able to see that the fabric is not perfectly smooth and flat on the shade. But it's OK. The weird part faces the wall and no one can see it. And I doubt anyone cares if it's a little bumpy. James certainly doesn't. </span>
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And for kicks, this is me 32 weeks pregnant and tired. That's the outfit I wore to Lifegroup. Paint-stained sweatpants, non-maternity shirt that almost doesn't cover my stomach, and bedroom slippers. That's what I call doing life together. </div>
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It's getting increasingly harder to angle my head in a way that disguises my 3-7 chins. But here's to trying!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Linking up! </span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-87233160265796111792013-02-19T06:41:00.002-08:002013-02-19T08:34:28.636-08:00Nursery in Progress<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I really didn't want pregnancy to take over the entire blog but alas, in these final weeks, it is sort of my whole life and I really have nothing else interesting to talk about. </span><br />
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Everything in my world seems to be centered on all the things to do before the baby comes and all the things we will be doing after he comes. I certainly don't mind it, but you may feel otherwise. I wont be offended if you take a 7-11 week hiatus from reading. I can't say I wouldn't do the same. But be warned, when you return it might be all about babies... I've been told they have a tendency to take over as well. </div>
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So here is what's up with our nursery. It is by no means complete but it is further along than it was, say, when we moved to New Orleans. I should put a disclaimer out that I follow sort of an organic process when decorating. I don't really have a vision of what the finished product will look like or an inspiration photo. All my rooms kind of unfold piece by piece. I do know that I want it to be calm and serene. Boyish but not in-your-face boyish. Timeless and practical. </div>
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These are from when we moved in.</div>
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We are keeping a double bed in the room for multiple reasons, one being that we live far far away from the nearest family member and we foresee visitors in our future. </div>
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Our crib came from Pottery Barn Kids and our changing table came from a furniture place in Auburn, AL. We scored an amazing Black Friday deal on it. </div>
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These are the fabrics for the crib bedding. My mother in law is making the bedding. She is an incredible seamstress. She has made the most beautiful crib bedding for my niece and nephews and I knew long before James was a thought that I wanted her to make ours. </div>
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I changed out the pink and green quilt for a white one and my mother in law is making shams out of the geometric fabric as well as a monogrammed throw pillow. </div>
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We got the rug this past weekend at... wait for it... Kmart! And I couldn't be more pleased with it. The pictures kind of cast a shadow but its a soft blue and taupe check. </div>
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We bought the baskets from TJ Maxx, aka, Basket Mecca. I fell in love with that bicycle basket and decided it would be perfect for toys. Andrew loved it too because he cycles as a hobby and loves all things bike related. </div>
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The chair was Andrew's grandmother's. She rocked his mama in it and his mama rocked him in it. You know I LOVE sentiment! The side table and lamp are getting makeovers this weekend. And the beautiful sign was made by our neighbors who gave it to us as a surprise shortly after we found out we were having a baby.</div>
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That's it so far! Hopefully the next time I post about it, it will be the finished product. Even now I just sigh every time I walk by. I am falling in love with it and with visions of a tiny little boy who will call it his. </div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-80086057557801589182013-02-18T11:06:00.001-08:002013-02-18T11:06:48.633-08:0030 Weeks <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Oh if I could ever get my life together I might rule the world. Or at least feel good about having my life together. </span><br />
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That's the thing with this pregnancy business... the minute things start to get into a routine a new stage hits and you are back at square one. <div>
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I used to only wake up to run to the bathroom 1-2 times per night. Now its 3-4. Overshare? </div>
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I used to be able to eat full meals and feel like a normal person. Now its multiple snacks all day long because for some reason real estate in my stomach is sparse. And I do so long for a big meal...</div>
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We did a lot of fun stuff this weekend that included working on the baby room and going to dinner with friends and I would tell you all about it and show lots of pictures but I am off to a Dr. appointment. </div>
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They used to be monthly, now they are every 2 weeks. But I'm totally not complaining about that. </div>
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Hope you all had a fab weekend and a lovely Monday! </div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-88050395811630697982013-02-07T09:18:00.001-08:002013-02-07T10:35:31.020-08:0028 Week Pregnancy Update<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My
friends <a href="http://ourlifeonabudget.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Stasia</span></a> and <a href="http://lovedandlovely.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Ryan</span></a> have been doing these fun little pregnancy updates on
their blogs and I have always thought I might like to do it but consistency has
never been my strong suit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today I decided there is no harm in throwing one in
there even if it’s kinda late to start and I might not do another one. Who’s
with me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Also,
the past three week’s pregnancy photos have looked ridiculous and I decided to
just leave them out for fear they might land on Awkward Family Photos. Or<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/12/10/awkward-pregnancy-photos.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">this blog post</span></a></span>. (Please click over to it, it is hilarious.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So
here is a little personal information that you might or might not find
interesting to supplement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oh
and here is a little comparison pic from 24-28 weeks. I thought it would be a
good one since I have on the exact same outfit. Just to deal with the elephant
in the room, I realize that the “bumps” in the rear and on either side of my
mouth are the ones growing most rapidly. It’s ok, I accept myself as I am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How far along?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">28.5 Weeks<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Total weight gain?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> You wish…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Baby Related Purchases?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> We haven’t really bought
anything ourselves yet, but we might be purchasing supplies for some furniture
redo’s for the nursery soon. Does that count?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Movement?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> A whole flipping lot of
movement and I love it. And it is strange. I told Andrew that it feels like when
your eye gets a twitch and you can’t control it or you have a muscle spasm, except
it’s your whole insides. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What I miss about not being
pregnant?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Getting
excited for spring/summer clothes. Wearing normal clothes. Exercising hard. Not
gaining weight. Being able to suck in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cravings?</span></i></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Cupcakes.
Nipped that one yesterday.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Anything making you queasy
or sick?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I
have been feeling sick in the morning again and I really don’t know why. I
usually feel sick if I get too hungry. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Gender?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://ybricklife.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-boy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">BOY!</span></a> Goodnight you
moonlight ladies… rockabye Sweet Baby JAMES! (Name that tune and I’ll giveaway
one free shout out.)</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Labor?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> No, thank goodness. But I
get some painful tightness in my tummy when I exercise which might be Braxton
Hicks? Maybe? Maybe not? </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Symptoms? </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Other than occasional
crazies I still feel pretty a’ight. I have random days of extreme fatigue that come out of nowhere but they are pretty manageable. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Worries?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">I worried a little about our 28 week appointment
since I measured so big last time. I am still a little worried about the
results of my glucose test. I hope those Krispy Kremes didn’t do me in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Best moments of the week? </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://ybricklife.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-best-shower-ever.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The baby shower</span></a>, duh. Also,
having a great appointment and finding out that I am measuring right on track
now. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Looking forward to?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Really getting the nursery
together. Mardi Gras parades. The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
Orleans</st1:place></st1:city> baby shower later this month.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Size of baby?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">By this week, your baby weighs two
and a quarter pounds</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like a Chinese
cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What’s the baby is up to? </span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial;">He can blink his eyes, which now
sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light
that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in
his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Disclaimer: I know I keep things kind of light on the blog but in all seriousness, I am so so thankful for almost 29 weeks of healthy pregnancy. I recently came across a forum for women who were due in April like me but are not going to be united with their sweet babies until Heaven one day. It was so humbling and I am so grateful. If you will, please join me in praying for these women. There is a Healer who intimately understands the pain of losing a child. Let's be fountains of His grace. </i><br />
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-69831396755297815402013-02-06T08:39:00.002-08:002013-02-06T08:42:46.358-08:00The Best Shower Ever<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I can already tell I feel tempted to use really dramatic and excessive adjectives throughout this post that may make me sound like I am exaggerating a lot, but bear with me folks... it was just so fantastically ideal! Ha! </i>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I just had one of the most enjoyable weekends of my life. Some of my sweetest friends threw me a big baby shower in my hometown in Georgia and every moment was like a dream.</span><br />
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I flew home Friday and remembered why I don't like to travel by plane. I wish so badly that I was the type to just hop on a plane like a jet-setter. I really try to fake it in the airport as if its my 23rd flight this year and rolling through security with my purse zipper hung on my sweater is no big deal. But I don't think I'm fooling anyone.<br />
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I arrived safely with my family, enjoyed some delicious chicken thing at Applebees, and went home and got in the bed so I would be fresh for the shower in the morning.<br />
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When I arrived I was greeted by the amazing hostesses; my BFF Katie, her sweet mama, April, and Mandy. Celia couldn't come because she had an unavoidable work thing and we missed her.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Everything looked adorable and smelled amazing! And I'll just go ahead and say I ate 3-12 samplings of each and every food item because it was my shower and I didn't want to leave any room for doubt about how much I appreciated the efforts.</span><br />
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A few of my best friends from college sweetly surprised me and came down from various Georgia locations. It was WONDERFUL to be together as that rarely happens now that we are old and scattered about.<br />
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I didn't think our friend Faren would be able to make it because she had been visiting our friend Autumn in Chattanooga, who actually had a baby the day before. So when I looked up while opening presents and saw her standing there with her mama watching me as if she had been in Bainbridge all her life, I almost had a heart attack! They basically drove a billion miles all night/morning from Tennessee to South Georgia for little (big) ole me and I couldn't have been more grateful.<br />
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I got to visit with family (who also traveled a stretch to be there) and friends that I rarely see. I have said so many times over the past couple days that I have never felt so loved. </div>
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The gifts were overwhelmingly generous but the company was truly the best. I don't know if it's age, living far from home, or hormones, but I felt more touched by the outpouring of love at the baby shower than I did through all of my wedding events.</div>
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I got to spend the whole afternoon after the shower with my girlfriends, laughing and catching up. I really felt like I was in some kind of wonderful dream all day. It was magical.<br />
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The next day, as I kissed my family goodbye at the airport, I was moved to tears at just how filled up I felt. It is good to be loved. And I am so thankful that James is being born into a circle of people who love him, Andrew, and myself that is so far reaching. </div>
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I can't believe the whole thing went by so fast. I have been reliving it in my head over and over. I know without a doubt that it will be one of the most special memories I have from pregnancy. What a blessing!<br />
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-4495231974034712182013-01-31T07:20:00.002-08:002013-01-31T07:22:03.406-08:00Thankful<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222;">I thought it would be nice to link up with my friend </span><a href="http://lovedandlovely.blogspot.com/2013/01/thankful-thursdays-link-up_31.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Ryan</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> today for Thankful Thursday since I spent yesterday sharing my woes. Not that there is anything wrong with sharing woes. I think it is really important to be real, especially when it comes to pregnancy. We girls tend to do a lot of comparing, self-criticizing, and trying to measure up to false standards set for us on the internet. Hello Pinterest... are those people real? I don't want this blog to ever be a place where I pretend to have all my junk together. </span></span><br />
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But I also find it a healthy exercise to frequently count my blessings as they tend to be more numerous than I often realize. So here is a little list of things I am thankful for lately. </div>
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1. I am thankful and flipping excited about my baby shower this weekend at home in Georgia. I can't wait to see so many people I love. I've got some really amazing friends and family. </div>
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2. Our church. We have become a part of a really great church here in NOLA called Edgewater. It can be hard to find a church and we feel extremely blessed to be a part of this one. I could go on and on about it. </div>
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3. Andrew's new job. Andrew got a connection through some new friends at Edgewater and is now working at the New Orleans Country Club. Not what he saw himself doing but a great opportunity nonetheless. We are excited, relieved, and blessed by this unexpected work. </div>
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4. Flying home this weekend. Andrew now works every other weekend and as it turns out his first one is this weekend so he can't come to the baby shower. While I am sad about that, I am thankful to be able to fly home and avoid the long car ride. Thanks Don and Mama!</div>
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5. Lastly, I am thankful for the things God is teaching me right now. He has been gently showing me how His love is unconditional and completely unmerited by me. I am finding that there is so much freedom when I stop approaching my faith with a works based mentality and embrace the fact that because of Christ there is nothing I can do to earn or lose God's favor. No amount of prayer, Bible study, or "right living" (although those things are not bad) can make me any more righteous in His sight. </div>
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Grace and grace alone people. </div>
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And isn't it a relief?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsvvQ-gK_CDtBlf__m2hZ-R039vndE8nFdiD4bgqfZOwKq6ta-McDCS4I7h0z60Bk2Txm44HmSgJRNBFtl7rmeAJigxPbbgjEvxxmgChI6mHljb0vdiGpzJvS5YeCHgSOIhpICYTEB_tE/s1600/Ephesians+2.8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsvvQ-gK_CDtBlf__m2hZ-R039vndE8nFdiD4bgqfZOwKq6ta-McDCS4I7h0z60Bk2Txm44HmSgJRNBFtl7rmeAJigxPbbgjEvxxmgChI6mHljb0vdiGpzJvS5YeCHgSOIhpICYTEB_tE/s400/Ephesians+2.8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://loveandlovely.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Thankful Thursdays"><img alt="Loved and Lovely" src="http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu201/ryanahargrave/Blog%20Design%20Images/final-TT-blog-button.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.. because Ryan is the coolest!</span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819950551092138974.post-26302961417308515352013-01-30T04:57:00.001-08:002013-01-30T05:00:50.927-08:00And then there was Friday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past few days or so some of the first trimester ickiness has crept back into my life. Remember the other day when I was going on and on about healthy eating and exercising more and how I felt so great and awesome and yada yada.... Yeah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last Friday I came down with a case of the crazies and it has not relented. I literally woke up sad and paranoid for no reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It really was weird because over the past several weeks I have had moments where I thought the world was so full of sunshine and happiness that I might burst. Then BAM, Friday hit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should have been suspicious about the sunshine and happiness thing in the first place because that is kind of not like me either. But darn if it doesn't feel good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So since Friday, I have unwillingly taken on the weight of the world. I have cried over things that merit tears but have nothing to do with my life and things that do not merit tears and have everything to do with my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two police officers shot in New Orleans, tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rip in the sheets we got for our wedding, tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the list goes on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's letting up because I don't think I have cried in about 24 hours but I could be wrong. Being up since 2:00AM isn't helping my thought processes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I mention I'm not sleeping well? That's an issue for another blog post. Or no blog post at all since it mostly has to do with me and my bathroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know this will all go away soon which is why I can laugh about it. Just pray for my dear husband. God love him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just so you have living proof that hormones are real and unstable, here is an Instagram I posted last week before Friday.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/F739A148-AE40-4B8E-9884-94259FB1C3D0-1232-00000255220B0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii604/CharDonaldson/F739A148-AE40-4B8E-9884-94259FB1C3D0-1232-00000255220B0357.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yea, that's a picture of the sunshine with a caption that read, "So good to feel hot and sweaty during a workout again! #bringonspring" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to follow the craziness, I'm <a href="http://instagram.com/chardonaldson/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">chardonaldson</span></a>. It's bound to be a good time.</span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373580077908255638noreply@blogger.com2