tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26712868472299435062024-03-12T16:59:18.589-07:00Amy's Spoonful of SugarI am neither witty, nor clever, nor smart, which makes me uniquely qualified to tell the rest of you what to do~Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.comBlogger708125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-75894272954603775612023-12-18T12:29:00.001-08:002023-12-18T12:34:39.874-08:00Make sure and visit your parents <img id="id_35b7_98c1_22b1_a487" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRl8ktb0vOc_PSsvCXUaB94Cp6TUOsYxL-jrMucX31xbn5sSAn_PxbhZZ4PDqZcV7gsESE9XMx42HANd8Edtl5P3no" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div>At some point in the last twenty years, my parents bought these ginormous nutcrackers for Christmas decorations. After having them up, they realized that the nutcrackers helped guard people from tripping on the step that went down into their sunken living room. </div><div><br></div><div>And so they stood as sentinels to guard the unwary for many, many years. They became one more endearing quality of time spent at my mom and dad’s house. </div><div><br></div><div>After we moved my mom out of her house in May, some dear friends of my parents inherited the Nutcrackers and the Hutch that once stood in mom and dad’s dining room. She sent this picture to my sister today to show how loved the items are. </div><div><br></div><div>I am so glad that someone who knew and loved my parents now owns these. But I couldn’t help but cry at the knowledge that I will never again walk into my parents house, see those nutcrackers and hear my dads sonorous “Hello!!!” followed by hugs from him and my mom </div><div><br></div><div>I read something the other day that said that if you are in your 30s or 40s that it means your parents have somewhere around 20-30 years left on earth. And if you don’t live near them and see them just a few times a year, that you have approximately 40-60 days left with your parents. </div><div><br></div><div>I thought about how the last 4 years of my dads life we lived in another state. How hard it was to see him get older and his heart weaker and know that I was missing out on that time with him. </div><div><br></div><div>So even though it can be hard to help my mom and watch her slowly disappear to dementia, I see her at least 8 times a month right now. And for however long she has left in the earth, I will look back and be glad. </div><div><br></div><div>So if your parents are still alive, go visit them. Tell them you love them. </div><div><br></div><div>And if you ever went to my parents house, you know about the Nutcrackers and know that it was one more thing that made my parents special:) </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-71079405491668744322023-12-17T12:45:00.001-08:002023-12-17T12:52:29.447-08:00December 2022<img id="id_9bb3_e45c_ce51_bab3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQe3E8A5UdzR3PRSWGDottdJD1-Ntmf7Kqwzj7HfDz-L9OPCzaKkW9Ml464mUxZt7eeeBR2fj0-9LdbqwaTFbiug1m8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_8984_f7c5_f315_65a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ-iWtvpVOxoNwcW-51uAwETU4JCcIZq3IzN1KNSmrQefkvNlYQfMb3QOo4z35lO6RVWZM2enU7hHnDu3m_Le2OtXOwEg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_238f_832e_180b_1a34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQWv0u4UIp2oQs_AH3QXV0FfSGm0hJV5WfAhdRXiMVtdu9ztXaJ4mBnKoxybqdNUrKESGRc5KUkXpa1ar16b0-RDlA1Iw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_c2ba_85c9_ffeb_a4da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYT8ksmMWjqBN3qKVa-VXoLwHGufAsBNGhCxy_GqQzkL3XdesyF_mqLPvvTv_RFczHHRdzl3GrUCc-yVu_6M1ph4YykvJg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7118_cb7f_e9a5_d4d3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRj1UpJlqok6v5V6vrM8x-q-VfkaO6baZmbIWm-Refg8lxq7jaqGcM8rxz56_TWI0cCm1uFT4XVvolIU8sqtTjPbKAUuw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8730_55f1_5725_7ba2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRmDHo6I4iYMXCh869d5hxws5N_y81q8DptY8i3tO1cBLfJAFy8PQguZ860D053tw_U5oA3RQe_QiDv9LFpEbprCWdA4w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d6e_ff18_fd08_baaa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTUpdbTvu8hLE0_n99jLldr9LnJKfGM0T5qo9_7qbkWrFLfV3l4_dtwDrz0WMzKZTmbsW1QzdIZ9rKrgcAyySHI67jxPw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_399e_4737_13de_5f67" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSb7YaAyv-38pfxjgiXSQbdkmQKcL3ZfyBdcf_ReQ38n9FDY4dxQ9i_TjpoPxZVQGtNR3bBpWtzGKd2QOjGfUQcDTBJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>Anne Marie went thru the temple, got married to her sweetheart, I finished my first semester back to college after a 25 year hiatus, my mom came to visit and we had lots of fun, ate lots of food saw beautiful lights and just felt ourselves blessed to be alive. Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-58928264179080162252023-12-17T12:38:00.001-08:002023-12-17T12:38:32.135-08:00Jingle Ball<img id="id_ff30_dca3_bd73_1b20" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQVKl3OPzTkZRlr6mTwfp24SlveqSL0WcwjQleIG6QfC7JYJkIPlUe1DLeLYfZ9jjMsudlt-ko3Cg0S45itJrVG9foUzw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div>I’m so grateful for the group of friends that Henry and Nora have found at Merit. </div><div><br></div><div>Nora went with her good friend Kekoa and Henry went with his good friend Emily. </div><div><br></div><div>Their experience at Merit has been a blessing from</div><div>Heaven. </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-89382489158641732662022-06-07T12:19:00.006-07:002022-06-07T12:34:16.177-07:00Breast impplant illness and implant removal-from sickness back to health <div>When I was 29 I had my 4 child. After she was born I got in really good shape, the best shape I've ever been in. But after pregnancy and nursing 4 babies I was dissatisfied with how flat I thought I was. And so I made the decision to get breast implants. To be totally transparent I knew I shouldn't get them, Jeff didn't want me to get them either. But I ignored both of us and instead gave in to the idea that a mother's body is somehow now good enough because of what its gone through. Rather than celebrating the normalcy and the rockstar status of how a body will change after having children. </div><div><br /></div><div>So in November of 2004 I got implants. And I thought that was it, my problems were solved and I would be happy forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first sign that something was wrong (but I did not make the connections for years) was how much my anxiety skyrocketed. I have always been more of a high strung, high anxiety person, but this was different. This was anxiety on steroids. Then I was diagnosed with thyroid nodules. Then I started gaining weight. Still I wasn't making any connection between the implants and my health. Two years after I got my implants I had my fifth child. And I did not bounce back like I usually did. I was only 32 so it wasn't an age thing. I always lost the weight after my babies and this time it was sooo difficult. But I chalked it up to whatever the internet in 2006 could tell me-probably that being 32 was making me not lose weight suddenly? </div><div><br /></div><div>Between 2004 and up until surgery I developed the following symptoms:</div><div><br /></div><div>Worsening anxiety and depression</div><div>Neck and shoulder pain(over time arthritis developed on the right side only)</div><div>weight issues</div><div>muscle pain and fatigue</div><div>gall bladder disease-thankfully I ignored advice to have it out and kept doing cleanses </div><div>Fire stomach-my stomach burned all the time</div><div>Acid reflux</div><div>Brain fog</div><div>It band pain with or without exercise</div><div>Asthma symptoms and unable to take a deep breath</div><div>Panic attacks</div><div>dry skin</div><div>I could not hit high notes anymore-I have sung since high school, audition choirs on the east coast, church etc. This was especially devastating. I thought it was the thyroid nodules. </div><div>lost and forgotten libido</div><div>chornic dehydration</div><div>vision changes</div><div>tendonitis in my arms and behind my knees</div><div>swelling in hands</div><div>swelling of the left calf </div><div>easily nauseated</div><div>knee pain </div><div>POTS </div><div>SIBO</div><div>kidney problems </div><div>Insomina and not being able to sleep through the night</div><div>bladder issues(I had two surgeries, one to fix the problem and then another to fix the problem that the first surgery caused) </div><div>chronic constipation</div><div>food allergies that caused blisters on my face, worsening GERD and increased all over pain</div><div>Jaundiced appearance over the last 4 years(all of that silicone is hard on the liver apparently) </div><div>Plantar fasciitis and pain in the bones of my feet</div><div>Loss of physical stamina and tiring quickly </div><div>Arms falling asleep just driving sometimes but falling alseep without fail every night</div><div>diagnosis of eds-turns out I'm just hypermoble(flexible) but my body was sick. </div><div><br /></div><div>And while this list is just words on a page to someone reading it, to me it was frequent tears. Pain, feeling limited, not understanding why I hurt and felt sick all the time. I muscled through so much while believing my body was betraying me. But it was the other way around-I had betrayed my body. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I first came across breast implant illness I didn't want it to be true. But I knew it was. For 5 years I thought about it and finally found a facebook group with thousands of other women with symptoms like mine, some so bad that they could barely get out of bed. I also read their stories of healing completely after explanting and I was convinced I needed to have them removed. </div><div><br /></div><div>So along came some financial miracles to make it happen and on April 11 of the year I had the toxic things pulled-gone once and for all. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the 8 weeks since removal I have had the majority of my symptoms improve if not resolve completely. Because I had them in for almost 18 years, it will probably take a few years for everything to heal. My food allergies haven't resolved yet and there is still some residual issues in my shoulders and arms from the weight of the implants pulling on me for so long. But I have no doubt I will eventually be back to normal. </div><div><br /></div><div>When my doctor removed the implants, he also got the capsule that had formed around them. Basically scar tissue. The scar tissue was making it impossible for my chest to expand completely. No wonder I thought I had asthma. The very first thing I noticed when I came out of anesthesia was that I could take a full deep breath. Then I noticed the pain . Apparently my arm was bent and the pain meds weren't getting to where they needed to be haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since then my gall bladder hasn't bothered me once. My stomach has felt 90 percent better and I have had no heart burn. </div><div><br /></div><div>My first sunday back in church I could hit all the high notes again. I cried with gratitude that this gift was returned to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>My energy is returning. My neck doesn't hurt. My legs are daily losing the weakness and pain and fatigue. My libido has returned-happy day!! I thought it was lost forever honestly. But the proof is really in my face. I took a picture the week before surgery and then every day after for 3 weeks. Daily I could see improvements. And then I took my last picutre on Monday. Same bathroom, same lighting, same time of day. I am no longer yellow and my face has lost its puffiness. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things I am grateful for about this journey is that it led me down a path of holistic health. I have learned so much about nutrition, supplements, mind set, how the body works and overall health. So the last 18 years wasn't a total waste and God has taken my mistake and still blessed me in the middle of it. I became certified as a body code practitioner and have helped 100s of people because of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I can't help but wonder what the last 18 years would have been like if I had just loved myself more. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have strong feelings now about implants. I don't judge anyone else for having them. How could I? But I don't believe there is a single woman who hasn't or won't be affected by having a foreign object made of silicone in their body. My immune system and body spent all of those years trying to fight off what I voluntarily and electively put in my body. It made me sick and tired and sad and hopeless. It was not worth the few months of joy I had before my body started to rebel against the toxic waste in my body. </div><div><br /></div><div>So if you or someone you know is thinking about getting them, I will direct you to studies and many many other women with stories exactly like mine if you like. We all just told ourselves that we were getting old or we were repeatedly misdiagnosed with autoimmune disorders, or thyroid disorders or just told we needed to eat better and exercise. When in fact, we just bought into a societal belief that women are suppose to look like they've never had children, or like porn stars, or some other iteration of ridiculousness that requires us to change our bodies to be whole or valuable. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm over it. If you have implants, get them out as fast as you can. Before its too late. We have had women on our facebook page who died before they could get them out. Its unnecessary. Its abusive. And its time for a rebellion against the perfect bodies, not "looking" like we've had babies or the pressure to be "hot moms". Sheesh. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to share what I have been through in the hopes that if it convinces just one woman to not get them or to get them out, then maybe my suffering will have maybe been worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you read this far, thank you. Obviously I regret it and even spiritually I regretted it within a year. But part of setting myself right physically has been the work I've done to set myself right emotionally. And sharing this has been a further step in knowing that I am ok how I am. And so are you. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" id="id_1bb7_7f6e_8e4a_d399" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O-1p6HCoh6JC1fFAtlaMnB6Lzh-Et0a7ERWIwtSgiqJn4_PuGx6z1MqlVCZO9St8Fhg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" id="id_f768_27e4_5389_9fca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5XX8-4P-feHDDHZEGmJhx_E3CvO3fvUz7DOsGEajuAcqRS30jdlvGQj3PjyS4AjWddM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /> </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-85126980805270480982022-04-04T08:49:00.001-07:002022-04-04T08:49:45.262-07:0020<img id="id_e2d4_a249_899c_39a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3kDThSKNPtHUDWqFwxQ3mv9xg26WXUqEXo6Gf6ElroiJDD4eB4iTxrmJEMdS-XU43g8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 323px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">You turn 20 once. But you are awesome forever. Charlie is awesome forever. Kind, good, quirky in the best ways, laughs easily, rolls with it, and is finding his way just like the rest of us. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We love you buddy. Happy birthday. </span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_a34_692a_9c3_d761" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hQQ-6Jw7Kmqwj2kNtgmwsdWHp3BIzntTCpyHKqs77q_0i2I8dwoXHK4u_kGOHSFYlng" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br> </div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-83287894938161632242019-06-05T12:10:00.001-07:002019-06-05T12:10:58.016-07:00Spring break <br><br><img id="id_fe8_193e_b54_fb11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mUHREn-GDMqcuf-NNbujWnNCPH0rKZ1qpXlgkiPDyMfydLfXJGjXzGxG2i8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1f86_fc6_4c02_e525" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/56IydrXE9rGkoAzB3V56pDTOx97ObcL0aMBUQV1FzFlLRJiZdRLG6fcqaCY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_25ac_f125_6c25_1235" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/u2nupVeCE6eaPPMUInm8Z4LcMfOGHPQ8l8IrWgtdOoFjQMsPbb_LMQ1yZV0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b524_aee2_e9f1_1dac" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0zOo-fKMk_5xJ4ry5HmhddGJ-w-OApGP2atep9qJnfmrdvyqB9ZTG1ocXAg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f54a_f2c4_bf97_6c38" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pLdU_Kr_q6E5Kb9u1MWdQSR56-_iR-HZUvYn3DJ5z3Lot_W22FDvnkReMgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_493e_e879_c454_c24c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cQ9U8-fL-6sPvPlZB_g85cPgmzSpCU5BjKPEbXMAZ6d5D6kTW7d6JXpUzGo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-12332533697498156392019-02-28T13:12:00.000-08:002019-06-04T13:19:30.012-07:00Mother, daughters, sisters, friends Before Kate heads back to college, we knew we needed a girls trip. Adult daughters and mom (cuz they like me but also cuz I'm the one with the money;)<br />
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So off to California we went. Lots of yummy food, fun music and lots of great discussion about what makes us who we are.<br />
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We visited the ocean in February cuz we are Allen's ;) And then off to Universal the next day cuz theme parks have a feeling to them that is just so fun!<br />
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I love my daughters. I became a mom pretty quickly after getting married and never once have I been sad about the timing. My kids are all close together which means they are all close.<br />
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So thankful to be their mom and to have memories like this to last the rest of my life.<br />
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_4d66_7cba_fea8_c601" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W9HKsxwD9iM_9skym19bxtuFx0JRe5c0BAOm-9fgl1tKDgDYLlWmVCm4kNc" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /><br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-35064186741717762062019-02-26T09:13:00.000-08:002019-06-05T09:23:52.775-07:00State champs <br />
These two girls. Little blonde robotics champs, thats what they are.They were part of the winning team for the Nevada Elementary School State Championship.<br />
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I think Payton's mom calls them popcorn? Cuz every time one of them is driving, the other is jumping up and down giving encouragement and direction to the other.<br />
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I don't think they were expecting the win, or to feel the way they did when they won. The crying went on for hours. It was a pretty intense day. Until this year I knew nothing about robotics or competitions. Its pretty intense to watch and the kids get very excited and focused and emotional and all the feels. All of them.<br />
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That is not laughing, it is full on emotional release crying.<br />
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So proud of these kids. All three teams from Nate Mack Elementary school made it to the World Competition in Kentucky. They practiced 3, 4 days a week after school and then on Saturdays. They had to keep good grades and good behavior to stay on the team. Nora maintained straight A's the whole time while also being on Student Council and in honor choir.<br />
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It was amazing to watch them all accomplish so much and their AMAZING teacher Mrs. Juliano worked tirelessly to get them to this point. I'm so grateful Nora got to attend Nate Mack elementary school and learn about her capabilities and a new found love for STEM.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-56000269784070077972019-01-29T14:24:00.000-08:002019-06-04T15:17:47.612-07:00She’s home. <img alt="" height="480" id="id_879a_4d76_454e_9861" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/slYdhd7DSyvI60mx9M-W06W7a3FNsj2e4CSKGLiZXnwarKD_z6dsHT3zshs" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /><br />
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After 18 months of being away from home, of serving the Lord and the people of Argentina and Paraguay, Sis. Kate Allen is home. I learned that my heart can reside partially in another country. I learned that for 18 months at least, Mondays are my favorite days. (emails home)<br />
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I learned that someone can change a lot while staying themselves. And I learned that someone doesn't have to be older than you to set a good example for you.<br />
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We all missed her so much. We experienced a lot of things without her and her without us. But in the end we are a family. Eternal and bound together by really strong ties.<br />
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Kate is an amazing person in every sense of the word. She is lovely and loving, she is smart and capable but vulnerable and inquisitive and having her home after such a long time is the best gift I could be given.<br />
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The only thing better than hugging your missionary after 18 months, is the first time you hold them as a newborn.<br />
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Well done Hermana Allen.<br />
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Here is me still in awe that I am actually talking to her face to face. Such a beautiful moment.<br />
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I love this girl more than I could ever express in words. So grateful she chose me as her mom:)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-91663181796169214592019-01-08T09:27:00.000-08:002019-06-05T09:31:05.303-07:00That time we went to Disneyland by ourselves!!<img alt="" height="592" id="id_8cab_ea0c_22c2_d584" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HtMD-PCfo_z78nvr571KSa0TPLcVbAJNW7L1l_WtsmRtXjc0M_XFUHeZtOA" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /><br />
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For our birthdays this year, we thought, wouldn't it be crazy and awesome to go to Disneyland together?</div>
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And so we did. And it was awesome. We spent a day at Disney then a day at the LA zoo.</div>
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And the best part? We held hands the whole time. Like the whole time. And I realized that holding hands is pretty much the best thing you can do to be aware of how much you love someone and how great your life together is. </div>
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We got to watch Fantasmic finally. Which was fun. But cold and my bottom hurt after sitting on the ground for 2 hours. But did I mention that we got to hold hands?</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-34707616854695755162018-09-28T11:39:00.000-07:002019-06-05T11:46:11.447-07:00Birthday in Disneyland <img alt="" height="640" id="id_5931_8d34_7d93_18f5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dlBJ4-ERxvmMaxtgQ0xPzBu9bfgKzl3aWT0M5ELh5f8FrWUOnT_3YBMvbXY" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /><br />
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So this year for birthdays, I offered to the kids to have experiences instead of presents. And being so close to California makes that a lot easier than it might have been in the past. (one perk for living in Vegas)</div>
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So Henry chose to spend his 12th birthday at Disneyland. And I wasn't going to complain so off we went. We got a park hopper and went to Disneyland and California Adventure. The Guardians of the Galaxy ride was awesome (formerly tower of terror) but it made my nervous system so jumpy that I giggled for about 5 minutes after ward. Which prompted Henry to ask a few time, "Are you ok mom?"</div>
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I let him hair spray his hair blue for his birthday. And he got a button since it was his actual birthday and he's a quiet kid but he enjoyed having everyone say, "Happy Birthday Henry"</div>
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My favorite part? He held my hand almost everywhere we went. I didn't ask him too. He just reached over and grabbed it and my mama heart nearly burst out of my chest. I love this boy. Oh so much. He is tender and sweet, funny and kind and he wasn't embarrassed, at 12, to hold my hand. So, so grateful that Heavenly Father let me be his mom.</div>
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On the way home, there was a wild fire that shut down the freeway, our only way home, for 4 hours. So we got food, found a good book on how to draw Spider Man and just chilled and talked. </div>
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Such a great experience to be one on one with out kids. To hear their thoughts on life without anyone interrupting. Focusing on an experience rather than just stuff made his birthday one of the best experiences ever. And guess what? He didn't miss the stuff;)</div>
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Happy birthday Henry. You are one of a kind:)</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-48075183348330074052018-08-27T13:21:00.000-07:002019-06-04T13:27:18.407-07:0019<img alt="" id="id_2495_f19f_9c48_a2b2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gU81GhvJy-3ZzFHPY6SD0Vs_LSsnZOGik9UjICTudkI42kv7zfYmPPVOLz8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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This girl. So much talent and insight and beauty rolled into one person. Julia is proof that we can shine in the middle of growing experiences and take the lessons learned to help others.<br />
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I am so proud of the young woman she has become. She is funny and engaging, spiritual and spirited and so ready to learn about herself and the world around her.<br />
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When she was a baby, I looked at her and instinctively felt that her spirit was older than mine. Even as a baby and toddler she has shown a depth to her that has always astounded me.<br />
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Happy birthday Julia. There is so much that awaits you. I'm excited to watch you as you journey on:)<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-59373240771281421072018-08-23T13:29:00.000-07:002019-06-04T13:44:08.902-07:0015 <br />
This girl. What a lovely beautiful surprise she was. Charlie was 9 months old when I found out I was pregnant with her. But how grateful I am that they are 17 months apart. They have been good friends their whole lives and as our lives have taken us many places, I am so thankful 15 years ago that she came into our lives a little earlier than expected ( not only getting pregnant with her, but the fact she was 3 weeks early, which meant she made the cut off for school and was only a grade behind Charlie).<br />
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Anne Marie is genuinely one of the funniest people I know. She cracks me up DAILY. For reals. She is a natural creator-of funny things, of art, of dance. She really exudes talent and creativity in everything she does. And she brightens up my life and any room when she is truly being herself.<br />
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Her face in this photo is because we enjoyed those cookies A LOT staying at a friends vacation home for two weeks in between rentals. So I found more for her and she was pretty excited.<br />
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Also, this has been the year of Korea. Korean pop music, Korean food Korean dramas and the Korean language. She loves the Korean culture and language and especially the cute K-Pop idols and their music. I mean, she loves it so much that we are ALL pretty well informed on their names and ages and their favorite work outs. So for her birthday, Jeff and I took her to a Korean restaurant. It was really tasty and really fun and she was so happy to be able to understand some of the things being said around her.<br />
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Anne Marie has learned a lot about herself and others this year. It has not been easy moving to Las Vegas, but she has worked hard and grown a lot. We are really proud of who she is and can't wait to see what else she creates in this life in the forms of art, music, dance and the joy she brings to others.<br />
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Happy birthday Anne Marie<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-69509517884163994922018-07-31T11:50:00.000-07:002019-06-05T12:05:11.868-07:00Nora is 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nora is 10. How is my baby ten years old?</div>
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Seriously, I don't even understand how so much time passed so quickly. </div>
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Not. At. All.</div>
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But alas, it has and it has been wonderful. Filled with the little blonde head bobbing around our home and our lives since 2008. </div>
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And once again, she spent her birthday surrounded by moving boxes as we prepared to move to a different house. Not state this time at least. </div>
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And once again, she had a Harry Potter birthday because Harry Potter and the world JK Rowling created is her second home. </div>
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For her family party, I made a beautiful and yummy cake just for her. But for the big party, the one with her friends? Nothing but a Snitch Cake would do. </div>
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Her house is Hufflepuff. And yes, knowing which house you belong to matters and separates the true Potter fans from the muggles;)</div>
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I'm also so grateful for good friends. Nora has been REALLY blessed with good friends. And when you have had to move and leave behind other really good friends, it makes all the difference in a new place</div>
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I'm so grateful to be Nora's mom. She brings lots of ideas and fun and keeping us on track to our family. She's a general if I ever met one, but she gets things done, she accomplishes her goals and she's really really fun and nice while she does it. </div>
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Happy birthday sweet, darling Nora. Thanks for being a bookend and for being so gosh darn cute:)</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-68953373954194184252018-03-29T13:04:00.000-07:002019-06-04T13:15:00.532-07:0016<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Sometimes mom pulls one out of that hat that even this “gives me a list so I don’t get it wrong “ birthday kid didn’t see coming. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">When we left Ellensburg, Charlie left behind his beloved sweatshirt from Winter Musical freshman year. He left it at a friends house and by the time we realized it, they had just taken it with a pile of stuff to goodwill. Charlie was pretty sad about it. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">But never fear when you have a tenacious mother. Unbeknownst to Charlie, I reached out to the director and asked if he happened to have any left. And guess what?! He did! So I sent off a check and he sent me the sweatshirt and the following is a chronicle of the surprise and delight and the “my mom is the best mom in the whole world” look on his face. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">He was turning 16 away from his extended family and friends. So making his birthday special was a little trickier. But I think we pulled it off:)</span><img alt="" id="id_22c2_4b5e_9740_84cb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UYIqevb5Y6IjutxrtgvoCMt_VzKP7mbKku_e35w_EephHZWJHlKpY_CWRPU" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Pictures are grainy, life was a bit grainy this last year. But the picture is getting clearer and living in Las Vegas has been alright. Charlie is an amazing kid with a lot of talents and gifts that I am excited to see him get to use.<br />
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We are so grateful Heavenly Father sent Charlie to us. He has taught us a lot about unconditional love, acceptance and growing together as parents and son.<br />
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Love this boy. Forever</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-73589353580405144542018-03-06T09:47:00.000-08:002018-03-06T09:47:18.487-08:00Dreams do come true our children probably thought they were the only kids ever that had not been to Disneyland. According to an informal poll that Henry took in his 4th grade classroom, this is true.<br />
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But it turns out they are no longer in the "my parents must hate Disneyland and us otherwise they would have taken us by now" club.<br />
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We had a blast. It was so fun to see everyone's excitement at everything. We missed Kate and Julia terribly because they had a dynamic to our family that is so wonderful. But such is life when people dare to grow up and move out.<br />
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We saved for months and kept it a secret. Then gave it to them for Christmas. Their reaction was hilarious in its underwhelm-ment. But the second we walked through the gates at Disneyland, they suddenly understand what everyone gets so excited about.<br />
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We also went to Universal which was Nora's personal dream. Julia and her share a vast love of all things Harry Potter. So universial studios was imagination come to life for sweet Nora.<br />
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It was a wonderful and an amazing memory. And hopefully it did a lot to soothe the sad hearts that resulted from moving to Las Vegas. When Disneyland is only 4 hours away, there is a lot of healing it can do:)<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-80262907604671506472018-01-21T13:10:00.001-08:002018-03-06T09:41:29.317-08:00Julia. The grownup This girl has been making us proud since the moment she was born. She is brilliant and straight forward and kind and funny and talented. We are beyond grateful to have her in our lives. And now she is officially an adult. Which just means she has to sign her own permission slips;)<br />
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Love you Jules.<br />
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Turn that frown upside down</h3>
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On days when you feel like this:<br />
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Or this:<br />
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What do you do to change it to this?<br />
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And this:<br />
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For me it helps when the sun is shining, and I have a splendid walk with kiddies in tow. And being able to enjoy the day at home without anywhere to go is helpful as well.<br />
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Other things that help:<br />
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1. diet coke<br />
2. chocolate<br />
3. being down a few pounds<br />
4. date night<br />
5. other people's babies<br />
6. a clean kitchen<br />
7. all the laundry done<br />
8. money in the bank<br />
9. fresh homemade bread<br />
10. sleeping in<br />
11. new clothes<br />
12. shopping<br />
13. redecorating<br />
14. warm chocolate chip cookies<br />
15. a great book<br />
16. a great church meeting<br />
17. a bubble bath with candles and a good book...alone!<br />
18. family movie parties<br />
19. my kids telling me they love me<br />
20. my husband's arms around me<br />
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What does your list look like?</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-13053681534454180782017-09-26T13:50:00.000-07:002019-06-04T14:19:11.708-07:00Henry at 11<br />
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This boy has been charming me with his dimples and giggly laugh since, well, forever.<br />
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When he was a baby, a woman in Target saw him and could not stop talking to me about his dimples. He had the chubbiest cheeks and these huge dimples and even now when he smiles, though he is no longer chubby, those dimples show up and just melt my heart.<br />
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By far my quietest and most tender child, Henry has a heart that I think is sometimes bigger than his body knows what to do with. He's not a pushover, but he feels things keenly, especially when things are unfair. I love him for it.<br />
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He is an amazing dancer, which we haven't pursued, but which he show cases when he's feeling the music and I know that its an expression of his inner joy.<br />
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In general he will fly under the radar, but he is not to be underestimated or ignored. He just goes about doing what he needs to do, quietly and knowing his own mind.<br />
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Henry really cares about what is right. He consistently makes good choices and is a wonderful example to others if they will take the time to notice.<br />
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I love this boy so much. I am excited for him to discover his talents, to find his place in this world and to live fully in the gifts God has given him. He is for sure a gift to us.<br />
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Happy birthday sweet boy.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-58816255960991397992017-08-25T11:09:00.000-07:002018-01-07T11:09:43.838-08:00Anne MarieAnne Marie turned 14. That glorious age where you can go to youth dances, where you start high school and where you start to turn the corner towards young adulthood.<br />
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It is amazing to me still that I get to be her mom. She is talented and kind and funny, humble and super smart and she makes me proud to know her every day of her life.<br />
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From the time Anne marie was little she was hilarious. Like, roll on the ground laughing at the funnt things she would say. I don't even know if she knew it or if she was tapping into her early onset comedic timing. But the girl has a gift. We laugh daily because of her.<br />
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She also plays the piano, sings and has picked up the ukelele with which she has begun to write her own songs. She won't let me post videos of her, yet. But the girl is well rounded and talented beyond belief.<br />
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She loves to run and is very talented at it. Which I am in awe of since I run sooooo slow. Always have.<br />
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She is the best big sister. She plays with Henry and Nora still. Not because she feels sorry for them, but because she loves them and she genuinely enjoys playing games, creating fun and a good time no matter who she is with.<br />
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I hope this will be the year she can see herself and her gifts more clearly. She is amazing and we love her to pieces.<br />
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She has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can see it in every thing she does, every decision she makes. She has decided to serve a mission when she is 19 and I know she will touch the lives of many in her life.<br />
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Happy Birthday darling Anne Marie. You are a gift to our family.<br />
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We went and saw Wonder Woman together. Fitting since she is so wonderful. Haha. I'm such a dork.<br />
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Love you darling girl. Forever and everAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-64411018085282517932017-08-15T15:10:00.001-07:002017-08-15T15:10:40.312-07:00Back to school already. And no, I'm not happy about it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you know me at all or have read my blog for a while, then you know I hate it when my kids go back to school. I have never felt that I am suppose to home school them, but watching them head out the door every fall just kills me. I have no idea what I will do when they are all gone. I can't even think about it. Even as my second gets ready to leave the next and go off to college. *sob*</div>
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Because we moved to the surface of the sun, also known as Las Vegas, it means that we are part of the first year where school starts mid August here. We got out June 18 and started August 14th. That is just a smidge less than two months my friends. That. Is. Poopy. </div>
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Add to that the fact that we were packing Kate for her mission and then our entire house for half of that and we really did not have a summer. </div>
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So when I dropped Henry and Nora off yesterday, I cried all the way to my car. Thankfully, Julia is still here for 2 more weeks and so I did not go home to an empty house. Which I will in two weeks. Jeff doesn't work from home any more. And so my life, which happens, is changing. </div>
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And I'm being fussy about it. I will adjust, get use to it, embrace it, blah blah blah and eventually (hopefully) love it. But for now I feel cheated out of time with my kids. </div>
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But the beautiful, amazing part of this is that they are all ok! Yes. They all came home yesterday saying everything was great and that they are ok and will like it here. </div>
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That is a miracle. Because moving is hard. Leaving everything you know is hard. And my kids are rock stars who have taken this whole thing in stride. I can feel the blessings of heaven. I really can. Which means I shouldn't whine because then I am ungrateful for those blessings. </div>
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Sorry. </div>
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No more whining. I think. </div>
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Anyway, Charlie and Anne Marie left a high school of 950 kids and have entered a high school bigger than my home town. It is 3200 kids! I can't even wrap my brain around that. The administration of the school seriously run the equivalent of a small town in the Cascade Mountains in Washington. They even have their own police. True story. </div>
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But they will be fine. I feel it and I have seen it. Miracles. I believe in them. </div>
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Henry and Nora go to an elementary school that is about the same size as the one they came from. <br />
And they all start before 8 and get out at 2:11 Which I love. I still pick them up and we are all home by 2:30.<br />
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A downside is that their new playground is about a 1/4 of the size of their beloved Valley View. All the playgrounds have big shade coverings over them. Otherwise the metal burns your skin. Also a true story. So that was kind of a let down. Also they only have one 15 minute recess. Possibly because its too hot to play outside right now? Not sure. But I guess in 4th and 5th grade you start to have less recess. Which doesn't make sense to me either. But hey, this is not Finland. So I suppose I have to take what I can get.<br />
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Its for sure different here. But not bad. I do miss our little town and the friendly feeling to it. Such as seeing people at school and the grocery store and just kind of knowing who a lot of people are. I'm sure we will get comfortable here and that feeling of being somewhere so big and different will get better.<br />
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And I guess we have more breaks during the school year once it cools down. Which is nice. Also, we are only 4 hours from Disneyland. Who can be sad about that?<br />
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So back to school 2017. Already. But in May, when everyone else is dealing with spring fever, we will be done with school. I will tell you then if it was worth it:)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-28606240420024670712017-08-14T12:07:00.003-07:002017-08-14T12:07:30.970-07:00Hoover Dam!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The title needs an exclamation point. The place was insane. Insanely hot. Insanely crowded and insanely huge. </div>
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There is a pedestrian walk way on the bridge that crosses the dam and goes from Arizona into Nevada. It was neat and also very disconcerting to be that high up with semis and cars going by you at 70 miles an hour. Separated only by a 4 ft tall concrete barrier. Also, it is so weird to only have 7 of us. I can never get use to it. And in two weeks Julia will go off to college and there will only be 6 of us on a regular basis. I hate it. But I love and support them. But I hate it. </div>
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Remember the scene in the original superman? If you're old enough I guess? Its pretty amazing to think that he could hold this back and fix it all.<br />
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We really wanted to get there in the morning and avoid the heat. Its only 17 miles from us. That should be too hard right? Wrong. Its my fault. I made Jeff take the boys to get their back to school hair cuts first. Hence Nora's sweaty brow. At least we brought water. Which quickly became warm but was preferable to the almost hot, odd tasting stuff coming out of their drinking fountains.<br />
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That is the bridge we crossed looking out from the dam itself. It really is a marvel and a feat of engineering. It was amazing to see. And there were a lot of dam jokes. So the day was a success.<br />
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When we got to where you can look down at the dam (a dizzying site) this big warm wind picked up. It was nice as it helped to dry the sweat pouring from everywhere. But wind and short hair, always a weird combo.<br />
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I love my family. I love my husband even though he suggested going to Hoover Dam in the 108 degree heat. We survived and learned pretty quickly that everyone there were tourists. Locals would not be there on a day like that. And since we are locals now, we need to assimilate and not give ourselves heat stroke. We're smart like that;)<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-57128046360066010182017-08-12T10:57:00.001-07:002017-08-12T11:01:04.098-07:00A day in Vegas life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because the school year starts so early here, on Monday yo! that means cross country has already started. One of Anne Marie's workouts was at 6 in the AM. Which means yours truly got to drive her. I love Washington, I think it is the most beautiful place I have seen in this country. But Nevada has its share of majesty and beauty unlike anything I've been around. </div>
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Exhibit A:</div>
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6 am Sunrise</div>
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Also, I just think its awesome that Anne Marie can run in the heat. I turn bright red, wilt and then die.<br />
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And then what is Vegas without splash pads, pools and lots of water activities to cool you down when it is still 108 degrees at 7 PM? </div>
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We love new adventures. But this is the craziest for us. I never thought that I would say I live in Vegas. Which technically I actually live in Henderson. But close enough. 2 miles away close in fact. Not to the strip. I cannot see the strip from my house. I forget its there. We live in a neighborhood. Not across from the Bellagio. Its actually just a normal place with shopping (lots) and nice people (lots). And lots and lots of air conditioning. </div>
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Stay tuned:)</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-6284730172934600292017-07-26T12:07:00.000-07:002017-08-14T12:31:41.818-07:00Til we meet again Sister Allen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we moved to Vegas two weeks ago. In the middle of packing for that, we were also getting Kate ready to leave on her mission to Argentina. </div>
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Time line was this:she gets set apart as a missionary on the 24th of July (also Nora's birthday). Then Jeff and I take her to the mtc on July 26th. We drive back July 27th and we are out of our house in Ellensburg July 30th. Sound crazy? It was. </div>
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She had her farewell, where she gives one last talk in church and bares witness of what she is about to go and do. And what is she about to go and do? Give all of her time and talents to teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Argentina for 18 months. In spanish. </div>
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Before she was set apart as a missionary she wanted to go swimming one last time. Missionaries don't swim or go in the water for their entire mission. Even if they're in Hawaii. Or the Mediterranean. Or California. Or anywhere with water. </div>
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Also I love this picture because all of my kids are together. I don't know when the next time will be. </div>
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Kate was set apart by President Ron Gibb of our stake presidency. He is also the brother of my sister in law Amy. We have known him a long time and love him and his entire family. So it was a lovely thing to have him be the one to set her apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. When someone is set apart, they are given a blessing with guidance for what they are about to do. They are also given a charge to fulfill the commitment they have made.<br />
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It was really hard for me emotionally to be packing our house and also trying to pack her for 18 months. I had wished I could have spent more time devoted to getting her ready. Maybe it was better emotionally. It didn't feel like it at the time. So once we were out the door to drive her to Utah, it was nice to just focus on her. And to cry from time to time. </div>
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Here we are at one of our favorite place. Costa Vida. Kate and Julia I love to eat yummy food together. All the time ha!</div>
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This is the basement parking of the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo. You pull up. Another missionary who has been there for a bit comes to help them get their stuff. They hug you goodbye quickly and then off they go. It was the happiest sorrow I have ever felt. So proud of her and glad she has chosen to be a missionary. So sad that I won't see her or hug her for 18 months. </div>
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Going....<br />
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Going....<br />
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Gone....<br />
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Its funny because I was alright at this moment. A little teary eyed. But excited for her. And I had just seen her so it didn't sink it. Its been almost 3 weeks. It has sunk in. In her entire life, I've never gone more than a few days without talking to her. It is surreal. The sacrifice by missionaries and their families is real. We wouldn't be willing to see her leave, and she wouldn't be willing to go without a firm testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It is too great a thing to ask of anyone if they aren't aware of the tremendous blessings for themselves and the people that will hear the gospel because of these young missionaries.<br />
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How many other groups of 18-22 year olds do you know that sacrifice 18-24 months of their youth serving God? Its normally a pretty selfish time of life (it was for me) and so to see them willingly serve and come home changed is a blessing I would never want to deny any of my kids just so I wouldn't have to not see or talk to them.<br />
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I love my daughter. I am so proud of her. In a year when Julia leaves on her mission, I will be proud of her. And in 3 years when Charlie goes I will proud of him. And over arching all of it will be a profound happy sadness as their mom. So if you ask me how Kate is doing and I start to cry, its not because anythings wrong. Its because everything is right, I just miss my girl.<br />
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For more information on what Mormons believe and why anyone would sacrifice like this, visit <a href="https://www.mormon.org/">www.mormon.org </a>and <a href="http://www.lds.org/">www.lds.org</a><br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671286847229943506.post-48420276330807421292017-07-24T11:02:00.000-07:002017-08-12T11:13:40.174-07:00Nora's 9th <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think that youngest children learn resilience younger than their older siblings. They get carted around to a lot more sports events, concerts and awards ceremonies. They spend more time in the car then their oldest siblings and with so much going on in a family of 8, and they learn to adapt pretty well. </div>
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Case in point, Nora's 9th birthday. One month before we learned we would be moving to Las Vegas. And then two days after this picture, Jeff and I would be taking Kate to the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo. </div>
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So here she sits, surrounded by boxes and chaos and as you can see from the pictures, she is still happy. Surrounded by her family, the people who love her most. And of course having your birthday list of Disney dolls come to life doesn't hurt either:)</div>
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I am so thankful that we received this little surprise we now know as Nora. She has been a gift of joy, happiness, easy going-ness, affability and just all around sweet, kind and fun.<br />
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Her birthday being so crazy was helped by the fact that she had a friend party, dessert with her grandparents and cousins who live in Ellensburg and then her "family" party with just us. 3 parties helps the bitter pill of moving go down easier I think:)<br />
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I can't believe she is 9. Seriously folks, don't take for granted the time your children are young. I know its hard, I know there is a lot of sleepless nights, poopy diapers and tantrums. Soak up every moment. There are new, just as wonderful times ahead of you, but those tiny babies, who just want their mommy go by all too quickly. I promise. I would shave my head for just one day with any of my children as 3 year olds again. And I would tell my younger self to not worry so much. They will all turn out just fine.<br />
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Happy Birthday darling Nora! thank you for being your bright, sunshiny self.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769910337177639884noreply@blogger.com0