tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229509682048577182024-03-13T10:18:01.431-07:00So Truly LovelySo Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-17615656264098589232014-01-30T16:25:00.001-08:002014-01-30T16:25:18.012-08:00Mommy makeup musts<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/mommy_makeup_musts/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=111948260' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='300' title='Mommy makeup musts' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/dhFhW2uCvMnRXphGj40Kg/cid/111948260/id/IPA_KQ6K4xG_lZtXtP8JyA/size/c600x300.jpg' alt='Mommy makeup musts' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/mommy_makeup_musts/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=111948260' target='_blank'>Mommy makeup musts</a> by <a href='http://annajnorman.polyvore.com/?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>annajnorman</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/face_moisturizers/shop?category_id=207' target='_blank'>face moisturizers</a></small></div><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=79240570' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/79240570.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=79240570' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Face moisturizer</a><br/>olay.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=82688638' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/82688638.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=82688638' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Laura Mercier long wearing foundation</a><br/>sephora.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=101147537' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/101147537.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=101147537' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Tarte creme blush</a><br/>beauty.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=70847290' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/70847290.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=70847290' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Tarte shimmer face powder</a><br/>tartecosmetics.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=61125207' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/61125207.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=61125207' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Benefit eyelash curler</a><br/>$26 - debenhams.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=74268687' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/74268687.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=74268687' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>drugstore.com</a><br/>drugstore.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div></div>So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-66981198908583412622014-01-30T16:24:00.001-08:002014-01-30T16:24:09.480-08:00Mommy makeup musts<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/mommy_makeup_musts/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=111948260' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='260' title='Mommy makeup musts' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/dQ8mN7Tr6O86sqDyiTosQ/cid/111948260/id/xObw-w2K4xGzHsvOtP8JyA/size/c600x260.jpg' alt='Mommy makeup musts' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/mommy_makeup_musts/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=111948260' target='_blank'>Mommy makeup musts</a> by <a href='http://annajnorman.polyvore.com/?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>annajnorman</a> featuring a <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/creme_blush/shop?query=creme+blush' target='_blank'>creme blush</a></small></div><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><br/><small><div style='text-align:left'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=79240570' rel='nofollow'>Face moisturizer</a> / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=82688638' rel='nofollow'>Laura Mercier long wearing foundation</a> / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=101147537' rel='nofollow'>Tarte creme blush</a> / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=70847290' rel='nofollow'>Tarte shimmer face powder</a> / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=61125207' rel='nofollow'>Benefit eyelash curler</a>, $26 / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=96358023' rel='nofollow'>Wallpaper</a> / <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=74268687' rel='nofollow'>drugstore.com</a></div></small></div></div>So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-88515021360597477162013-08-30T11:46:00.000-07:002013-08-30T11:46:07.108-07:00Guest post from a lovelyI will not even pretend to be a "blogger" anymore :) Clearly. One of my dear friends had something she wanted to share and I am honored to share some of her wisdom.<br />
<br />
She is the girl that I went on a walk with 2+ years ago and said, "Wouldn't it be awesome if God let us be pregnant at the same time?" Well, her daughter Emma and our daughter Ruth are three days apart...pretty lovely. And she was the one who on the day after her daughter was born (at home!!! She's nuts but amazing :)), said that she knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, we were having a girl-EVERYONE thought boy. <br />
<br />
Alas, here she is:<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';" type="cite">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #555555; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Five simple ways to meaningfully enter into the fall</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
September is one of my favorite months. Though I grieve the end of summer sun, and mornings wearing little more than a t-shirt drinking coffee on my balcony, I welcome the magic that is fall.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: inherit;">The air changes. New winds blow in, bringing with them an ancient kind of wisdom: </span><b>September through November are months to let go, and let fall what no longer serves us or brings us life.</b></div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
September actually marks the start of the new year in the Hebrew calendar, and can't you feel it?</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Since I was a kid, and the rhythm of the school year dominated my life, September has always felt like the proper new beginning of the year. Yes, the big date changes in January, but in many ways the winter only marks a half way point, because the new routine began back in fall.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's been decades since I have ridden a school bus (or have been bought a new fall wardrobe), but seeing the excitement my son has for school to begin again triggers something in me. </div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>I think my heart still hungers for September to be what it once was to us: a time to start again. A time to let go of the old year and grow intentionally into the new. Do you feel it too?</b></div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: inherit;">With this in mind, </span><b>here are five simple ways to meaningfully enter into a new season. </b>Take advantage of the fact that this time right now, this last week of August, is a "land between" lending itself to you as natural time to go within and reflect. </div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Make time this evening to consider with pen in hand and journal before you what is working in your life right now and what is not working. The months ahead are there for you as a work space. With His help, gracefully you can shift habits and routines to shine more grace and peace or add more romance and adventure into your daily rounds.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; text-align: center;">
<dl style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; clear: both; color: inherit; display: block; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 910px;">
<dt style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.morgandaycecil.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/September-MorganDayCecil.jpg" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><img alt="Free screen savor September 2013" height="675" src="http://www.morgandaycecil.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/September-MorganDayCecil.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="900" /></a></dt>
<dd style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Right click to download. Created for you to use as your desktop background this month. Thank you for pinning to share with your friends!</dd></dl>
</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Reflect on the posture of your heart</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Posture sets the tone for everything else. The posture of your heart reveals what you are orbiting around. For a journal exercises think about what you are thinking about. What topic/subject/issue gets the most air time in that beautiful brain of yours? Are you happy with the amount of energy being dedicated to that thing? Would you be happier if your focus was something else? Reflecting on the posture of our heart helps us to know what direction we need to shift, if shifting would be more life-giving to us than staying put. Take a look at the values your daily actions and decisions are aligning with. Do they align with your deepest beliefs and faith in what is highest and best? Or is the alignment off?</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have found in my own life that a heart posture that is open and surrendered and lifting towards God is one that brings me more fruit. When I am I closed off, and my back is turned on my faith, my world gets uber-small and suffocating. My actions and my words don't align with who I want to be. But when my <strong style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25px;">posture</strong> is open and humble, I am always surprised by the joy that enters in. Circumstances of my day or week don't have to change and yet there is peace. Romance appears out of no where and obstacles shape-shift into adventures.</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Quietly declare a personal purpose for the season</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What woud give this season meaning and significance to you? Taking a look at the ways your life isn't working well, what specific thing would you like to see change? Set some goals. Or set a seasonal intention, something to keep you focused and inspired on using this time well.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Right now I am on<a href="http://www.morgandaycecil.com/calling-all-pilgrim-hearts/" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"> the pursuit of discomfort.</a> The season ahead of me is a pilgrimage of uncommon romance and adventure where I am exploring tough issues close to my body, heart and soul. Having declared that this season will be dedicated to this purpose helps me frame each day in a way that affirms the journey. It is a journey and there will be hard days, but declaring in advance that this time is set aside for such a<strong style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25px;"> purpose</strong> is a powerful way to keep me from giving up.</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Plan your weeks and your day</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Failing to plan is planning to fail. You know how fast the weeks fly by. You know that Monday comes way to abruptly. (I am talking to myself, here, not just you).</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
You can have a million plans to make magic happen this Fall but if you don't take your ideas seriously enough to stake on a calendar, you and both know what will happen.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Nada. The season will pass in a fog of Pumpkin lattes with not much to show for it except a big dent in your coffee budget.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I took the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159562015X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=159562015X&linkCode=as2&tag=iheartsinglep-20" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"> Strength Finder's</a> test awhile ago and learned that one of my greatest strengths is that<em style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px;"> I love ideas</em>. (This was kinda of a no-duh! for me: <em style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px;">I knew I love ideas</em>).</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ideas fuel me. Carrying those ideas out to completion? Not so much.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I need help with this big time. Most of us do. And here is what I have learned:</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The most consistent, effective, reliable help readily available to help me successfully bringing my intentions and ideas to their <em style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px;">intended</em> experience in reality is <strong style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25px;">planning</strong>. Making old fashion use of an old fashion calendar. A large desk calendar works best for me. One I can hold and mark up in all sorts of Pentel colored ink.</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Make time to play in the seasonal delights</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Every season is special. Saying so is trite and true.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Fall offers to us once-a-year opportunities to engage and delight in being human. So does Winter and Spring and Summer. But Fall's delights happen in Fall. Not Winter. So don't miss them.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Pay attention to the festivals, foods and traditions that are unique to each season. You've seen the fun stuff pop-op on your rader only after the opportunity to enjoy them has passed.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There is no real point in apple picking when four different varieties of apples are available to you at your local grocery store...but apple picking is FUN.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And you definitely can enjoy a glass of wine without putting any work in.... but grape stomping is FUN.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Most importantly, you've promised yourself not to let another year go by without taking the family out to make a memory in an orchard or in a vineyard. So honor your promises. <strong style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25px;">Go play. </strong></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. Pray</h2>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
You don't have to do this alone. You don't have to be your own guide. You can delegate up.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have learned that if I am serious about bringing greater significance and meaning to a season, I must be equally serious about prayer. </div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Because what do I really know about what is best for me? I can think I know exactly what I need to grow and mature, or to find peace and to create more happiness in my life, but personal history has taught me better: I lead myself astray with astonishing reliability.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
If it was up to me to figure out all the how-tos of brining peace and meaning into my life I would surely fail. So now I have learned to ask for help.Ask our Lord for eyes to see what currently is hiding in your blind spot. Abide in the presence that fills eternity with love and wisdom and ask for what you need. Ask also for the grace to not miss out on the inner workings of everyday miracles. Ask for a heart to pay attention to what this new season has for you everyday as it unfolds.</div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #201f1f; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300; line-height: 14px;">Morgan lives in Portland, Or with her handsome husband and their two kids. Walking through a family and personal history of anxiety and depression, and single motherhood, Morgan learned how to find the wonderful in the imperfect. Now she helps women come alive despite their circumstances so that they too can create their own lives of romance and adventure. She writes at <a href="http://www.morgandaycecil.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7aba7a; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">morgandaycecil.com</a></span></div>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #555555; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><div style="color: inherit; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-22032771519043672272013-05-10T09:31:00.001-07:002013-05-10T09:31:24.160-07:00Happy Mother's Day.<div style="text-align: center;">
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 25px;">Because God needed someone to love the least and the little into real whole people, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 25px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: 400 !important;">He knew that to love is to suffer so God made a mother."</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 25px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: 400 !important;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe1AtkK-7KN_Tl6JjDMgjRWh6fMVUgWUb9UZa1GsU8fBvU0K5B2zZ57VWWv-M7I3QZBHiJflydbvekerV-jeoGqVD5dvRUp9z8EDmkaUycWcGYvZRTWyAwbHVeaiXU0j8glGlVfH_9r4/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe1AtkK-7KN_Tl6JjDMgjRWh6fMVUgWUb9UZa1GsU8fBvU0K5B2zZ57VWWv-M7I3QZBHiJflydbvekerV-jeoGqVD5dvRUp9z8EDmkaUycWcGYvZRTWyAwbHVeaiXU0j8glGlVfH_9r4/s400/IMG_2174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 25px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: 400 !important;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 25px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: 400 !important;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">I was just talking to a beautiful friend about what it is like to be a mother and how many can choose to never be a mother and will truly never feel like they missed out on anything. But I also told her there is nothing in the world that will make you feel and love as deeply as being a mother does.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Not marriage.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Not friends.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Not circumstances.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">The quote above at the top is from Ann Voskamp's blog in a post titled, "<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/05/so-god-made-a-mother-when-the-giving-tree-is-really-the-giving-mother/">So God Made a Mother</a>." Please read it and send it along to your mothers or to someone who needs to be encouraged.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">My mother is the epitome of what she wrote about being a mom. My mom literally suffered with me through the first six weeks of Ruth's life here with us. Staying the night and spending all hours helping me fumble through the weakest season of my life. She is soooo much grace and shows the love of Jesus (sacrificial) to the nth degree. She was right: I would have never known how much she truly loved me until I had one of my own.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Love is no longer a word. It is a way of living and breathing. It is essential and full of sacrifice and joy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">It is a priceless thing, to be a mother. It illustrates our utter depravity and desperate need for Jesus and gracefully partners that with the most beautiful parts of exactly who we were created to be. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Ruth has changed my life. In more ways than I could ever express. I have never known what it truly means to "steward" something or someone. To daily plead with Jesus to have any idea of how to raise up a child that loves Jesus and loves others. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Proverbs 31:28</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">"Her children rise up and bless her and her husband also, and he praises her."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG_t1m_v0Z8PO10Tl_b5vstt-OyMyBDlUof1D1uKTCjhfe_oOqc_uUYa5HvcGyAHsz3XdCV2dUyEU3ExcPjWJ5KWrrSyzgi8cK8lPov4zil8pQF9WL0b1MkKVzDuAxeNaVcS_M-8SZMw/s1600/100_3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG_t1m_v0Z8PO10Tl_b5vstt-OyMyBDlUof1D1uKTCjhfe_oOqc_uUYa5HvcGyAHsz3XdCV2dUyEU3ExcPjWJ5KWrrSyzgi8cK8lPov4zil8pQF9WL0b1MkKVzDuAxeNaVcS_M-8SZMw/s640/100_3041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-56811528346342389982013-04-26T10:18:00.001-07:002013-04-26T10:18:34.406-07:00Your imagination, please.The nursery for...HENRY (we found out yesterday we have a little man in there!) is quite the project. Mainly because the room is 10' x 4'10". The room was built to be a photo darkroom back in the 1960s and actually only has a skylight and no windows.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures to get your mind thinking :) Sorry the quality is not that great. We painted stripes awhile ago because it was an office/craft room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAIH71B2FYZGBczW406WUuwvc9zuUmy__VE14-8euWBJNcHxyx7i3xJ12fe5wx9THueKfj4qlawFeUcYW0uymuV0qcZ8pnmIBTgHQ0bmiF17upcv7pZptulXm20ca8rLG3Xzhqbg0toE/s1600/IMG_3329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAIH71B2FYZGBczW406WUuwvc9zuUmy__VE14-8euWBJNcHxyx7i3xJ12fe5wx9THueKfj4qlawFeUcYW0uymuV0qcZ8pnmIBTgHQ0bmiF17upcv7pZptulXm20ca8rLG3Xzhqbg0toE/s400/IMG_3329.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8riYwbw8fLULPW7IeCObG2scAA1c64935dLOR-Rxma7XhsJrSCsCCxEWNSUjgqWGdnTZVy0_5VTllV4Jl1nV1R5U-awvTxjxQcV5dDjpWsAHdUf7mWASjM22gw87jeoB9R1BBZqaLIo/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8riYwbw8fLULPW7IeCObG2scAA1c64935dLOR-Rxma7XhsJrSCsCCxEWNSUjgqWGdnTZVy0_5VTllV4Jl1nV1R5U-awvTxjxQcV5dDjpWsAHdUf7mWASjM22gw87jeoB9R1BBZqaLIo/s400/IMG_3745.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Most cribs are 4'6" which means we would have to put the crib together in the exact place and take it apart in the exact place. The only problem here lies in the fact that if any of the installation has to occur on the ends of the crib...<br />
<br />
So-we are brainstorming possibly this crib instead. It is 38" wide versus 54". Thoughts? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsToC9BzjXWSxeNWgw2XQYVedVr2lsAQQpo6WXqWEUPAp2Cr0zG2d4BRe1aoQ4Jve8DNEEGHUZanwOcW2Tmr7_1ZAO_Ri_NIDeZM6KuBQBqxUrJepDd9GXvAarfwuTF-B6e1oeoTfmMU/s1600/grayson+crib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsToC9BzjXWSxeNWgw2XQYVedVr2lsAQQpo6WXqWEUPAp2Cr0zG2d4BRe1aoQ4Jve8DNEEGHUZanwOcW2Tmr7_1ZAO_Ri_NIDeZM6KuBQBqxUrJepDd9GXvAarfwuTF-B6e1oeoTfmMU/s640/grayson+crib.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babyletto Grayson Mini Crib <a href="http://www.simplybabyfurniture.com/babyletto-nursery-set-grayson-mini-crib-hudson-changer-dresser-navy-white.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Please let us know if you have any ideas for this manly little space! We are also thinking of painting two of the walls navy and also, sadly, getting rid of the chandelier and maybe getting this fixture below (but I am yet to really research very many little man things!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmkLQf6RGhHNKhsM7KTaLxyFz92D3UqIzJ5kRx_6-JSqDc5ilvIe9vwIt6VX54JnGJqcMg4S903TwaXgKgtYSMjeFqrNZgzxmHtPAJQpMosyBRQXmaUWPKuD9MNv0vJTQmR046txqD2s/s1600/air-show-lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmkLQf6RGhHNKhsM7KTaLxyFz92D3UqIzJ5kRx_6-JSqDc5ilvIe9vwIt6VX54JnGJqcMg4S903TwaXgKgtYSMjeFqrNZgzxmHtPAJQpMosyBRQXmaUWPKuD9MNv0vJTQmR046txqD2s/s640/air-show-lamp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.landofnod.com/air-show-lamp-shade/f12077">Via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, you must see these two items that I found via a friend on pinterest. What are the odds that this amazing company only makes five of these dolls and two are named Henry and Ruthie?!?!?!?! Divine.<br />
<br />
And my husband has a big fox tattoo...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgO_oblnUH9QgxqEYjNoJzH4mSz2PKSPxqwlXN6n5UaEzYfvBp_58r1vwM3EgwXW9m80eY3yecoplE4ysj8i_hBKBekKpX5OdTRTUQfGLYtUtuYfr6ehzBchHf9wwo0iarlemdu16LXg/s1600/fox_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgO_oblnUH9QgxqEYjNoJzH4mSz2PKSPxqwlXN6n5UaEzYfvBp_58r1vwM3EgwXW9m80eY3yecoplE4ysj8i_hBKBekKpX5OdTRTUQfGLYtUtuYfr6ehzBchHf9wwo0iarlemdu16LXg/s400/fox_front.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry the Fox <a href="http://walnutanimalsociety.com/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FvWJipEbVLQMwrt9T7G2d2M02qjfvASlTh9r6VwA6MYnbjezdpC4gISEFsD-x5F_P-jOp9JpYOUXXuQ-7wXL_0Vi422UibBKHJgB_A1z9qFVdzAjOSYJz3vAKkSbj_RlkNXCbsuD744/s1600/ruthie+the+deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FvWJipEbVLQMwrt9T7G2d2M02qjfvASlTh9r6VwA6MYnbjezdpC4gISEFsD-x5F_P-jOp9JpYOUXXuQ-7wXL_0Vi422UibBKHJgB_A1z9qFVdzAjOSYJz3vAKkSbj_RlkNXCbsuD744/s400/ruthie+the+deer.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthie the Deer (dear) <a href="http://walnutanimalsociety.com/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you for any help! <br />
<br />
xo, Anna N<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-78351085225046904132013-04-21T15:46:00.001-07:002013-04-22T09:05:10.428-07:00My fave baby essentials<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/my_fave_baby_essentials/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=79715633" target="_blank"><img alt="My fave baby essentials" border="0" force="1" height="532" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/UOky3KF1niwiMyVdqPMAg/cid/79715633/id/R6xcRFFbTrqGhpI9n-RuPg/size/c600x532.jpg" title="My fave baby essentials" width="600" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<br />
<small></small><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=69419435" rel="nofollow">Long-Sleeve 4-Pack Bodysuits</a></span><small>/ H&M <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=74085803" rel="nofollow">h m</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=32164023" rel="nofollow">Hoy Shoe Salt-Water Sandals (Baby, Walker, Toddler, Little Kid & Big...</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=81928322" rel="nofollow">Amazon.com: aden + anais Swaddle Blanket, 3 Pack mela 9201 Soft rayon...</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=76805927" rel="nofollow">Munchkin Standard Wipe Warmer</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=81928684" rel="nofollow">VTech Baby’s Toy Laptop</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=81928724" rel="nofollow">eeBoo tot Tower Blocks</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=81928374" rel="nofollow">MAM Night Silicone Pacifier - Pink - 0-6 months: Baby</a> <a href="http://www.albeebaby.com/kiddopotamus-bibbity-rinse-roll-bib-in-pink.html?utm_source=googleproducts&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=googleproducts&utm_content=72275&gclid=CMz616Tr3LYCFaU5Qgod0RgApw">Summer Infant Bib</a></small><br />
<br />
Here is a little list of things that I love. I know every mom is different and every baby is different but these are things that have landed on my "love" list and will be used for baby number two :) We find out Thursday if it is a little boy or girl!<br />
<br />
1) Carter's Onesies: these things are straight from heaven. They wash well, last forever (Ruth is still in the 9 month ones), and in my opinion, babies are cutest in onesies. And they are exceptionally priced and always on sale. I have about eight in each size.<br />
<br />
2) H&M leggings: these were my faves for Ruth when she was a wee wee one. They only go up to size 6 months so now we love Circo from Target and Old Navy (they also seem true to size). In my experience, everything from H&M runs large.<br />
<br />
3) Salt Water Sandals: I actually don't own these...but am ordering them because I have heard they are perfect. I have adult ones and I am quite sure/I know they will be cuter on Ruthie.<br />
<br />
4) Aden and Anais Swaddle blankets: splurge for the more expensive ones...in my opinion, there is a textile difference. The ones that cost $10 more seem to get softer and softer.<br />
<br />
5) Wipes warmer: I know this seems superfluous to some but I LOVE ours. Ruth literally went through 20 diapers a day as a wee one and the warm wipes were the best in the middle of the night (at least for mommy).<br />
<br />
6) Vtech laptop: Ruth's fave toy for over six months. So much so that it squeaks when you open it.<br />
<br />
7) EeToo Blocks: another toy given to us and such a blessing. She started loving these around 12 months and plays with them everyday.<br />
<br />
8) MAM pacifiers: I know, some babies love them, some don't. Ruth does and these are great because they glow in the dark. Ruth throws hers out of the crib (she likes to have three...) so it makes it easier for me to find them. And they seem the most orthodontic.<br />
<br />
9) Bibbidy Bib: Only $6. I tried so many cutesy, fabric, plastic lined ones and they all were terrible. They would be great if babies didn't eat :) This one is so easy to clean and so easy to pack and you only need one (not ten while the others dry).<br />
<br />
Hope you all had a great weekend. Please let me know if you have any specific questions about baby items! I am no expert but I am a mother :)<br />
<br />
xo, Anna N<br />
<br />
PS: The sun is coming to Portland...Praise Jesus.</div>
</div>
</div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-11696772677683859782013-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:002013-04-16T10:43:00.022-07:00No thank you sand and grass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qYYUr58s30XXIVz-HxwG1a5s79Lh-CchNBe-Sft11j9Kz7b89tH3oOe89JDQlWd-kelbi1THiTfpPHJ_sw_-oc2gKj8BWNn8RGvPnBEd3v0VX1VZknOe3WFNsvPH9WdaJG4181ndKx0/s1600/IMG_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qYYUr58s30XXIVz-HxwG1a5s79Lh-CchNBe-Sft11j9Kz7b89tH3oOe89JDQlWd-kelbi1THiTfpPHJ_sw_-oc2gKj8BWNn8RGvPnBEd3v0VX1VZknOe3WFNsvPH9WdaJG4181ndKx0/s640/IMG_2205.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every now and then mom breaks down and buys these things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After Disneyland, our family went to Laguna Beach. And I must say, that place is gorgeous. I only watched one episode of "The Hills" (which was more than enough), but now I can really see why people live there...if you happen to have a minimum of $2 million for a home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We learned a few things about Ruth:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-she doesn't like sand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-she doesn't like grass</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-she doesn't like the ocean</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-she loves blended strawberry lemonades</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-she loves to share (for now)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am sure all of these things will change but clearly the Pacific was not warm enough and that sand and grass...well, she has met other textures that she welcomes much more. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But it was hilarious! She would immediately go to her tippy-toes and beg dad to get her off of the lawn. And on the sand she would just crunch up her legs while dad was holding her so she wasn't touching it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am thankful for living in Oregon but oh I can see how people like sunshine (consistently) and "beaches" versus our "coast." HUGE difference if you have never been to the coast...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off to go to Ikea-some of our sweet friends just gave us their beautiful yellow couch and our bright green rug seems to not match. I will post a pic soon! And also, we have to go buy another crib...so amazing! Ruth and this little one (we find out next Thursday) will be too close for Ruth to have a toddler bed so we thought Ikea's cribs looked great AND were the right price.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enough rambling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Love, Anna</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB7f7dSF-QnIrtadGYo16nWOZ4jJi6kUNfgzfcX493s8srKTgdEDb3mx0ZT0Nzs5q-kvV37HAyR6F2V3G6qlAlEtJahhxtXQs22mokIdGPRVsTWAhlUUC5wdDAB8oGE6KjKojFvCMMVc/s1600/IMG_2239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB7f7dSF-QnIrtadGYo16nWOZ4jJi6kUNfgzfcX493s8srKTgdEDb3mx0ZT0Nzs5q-kvV37HAyR6F2V3G6qlAlEtJahhxtXQs22mokIdGPRVsTWAhlUUC5wdDAB8oGE6KjKojFvCMMVc/s640/IMG_2239.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much happier in the air than on the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB4Y4Yri5WZKudVgMgStT5KuR2-X0oGgRPAxRNgllJ-rYLcpTsaQv5N6RmUCQWdrI_RQKvepP1mGaZDDJomuPzrAAo78HL1wlNIO_VcKJocmCCQZMFLPYJDsLiqUhoxBCfTGLHrJ8jFU/s1600/IMG_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB4Y4Yri5WZKudVgMgStT5KuR2-X0oGgRPAxRNgllJ-rYLcpTsaQv5N6RmUCQWdrI_RQKvepP1mGaZDDJomuPzrAAo78HL1wlNIO_VcKJocmCCQZMFLPYJDsLiqUhoxBCfTGLHrJ8jFU/s640/IMG_2217.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those teeth, that grin, that suit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIPTRr0griDAIlX8JukpyBRN0bmSghFrgqomXJNUXWyxhJy1sKraLLhf5byLtF6GGKu7UggHIdLTipojIQ0GUL8lTCu0_OXuRROgu1t6Chkgn88bHamD5npS0WgRAVPTkYVPbTzfQLMo/s1600/IMG_2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIPTRr0griDAIlX8JukpyBRN0bmSghFrgqomXJNUXWyxhJy1sKraLLhf5byLtF6GGKu7UggHIdLTipojIQ0GUL8lTCu0_OXuRROgu1t6Chkgn88bHamD5npS0WgRAVPTkYVPbTzfQLMo/s640/IMG_2236.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She doesn't seem to want anything to do with actually "sliding."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPreHCMVn0B_QhI9T8lUZdmjNUbCYZVEetIsoCQ0divSN54daRV_EYppnfc4PzhFtCkdNdv2BplcAEjwmNFdZ0Z6t1zE3q2Q74l_xixxc8Hj-6yHH__xezV7Rlu4dsTOsCMkv1AGcuxSs/s1600/IMG_2237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPreHCMVn0B_QhI9T8lUZdmjNUbCYZVEetIsoCQ0divSN54daRV_EYppnfc4PzhFtCkdNdv2BplcAEjwmNFdZ0Z6t1zE3q2Q74l_xixxc8Hj-6yHH__xezV7Rlu4dsTOsCMkv1AGcuxSs/s640/IMG_2237.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magic puffs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZxJ2JDrnBFVnEwjKzxhyEgrYIoPyMXPyaxpd7UaYGokGPReZIAA9aJq3E427ZFcW7P0Xzn-UTLMGnSbMV0D0m1yv9Jwibji-laBG_hzXm1-ln1Tqo-YWg3XMdeYmVZn852EYZOETc4E/s1600/IMG_2238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZxJ2JDrnBFVnEwjKzxhyEgrYIoPyMXPyaxpd7UaYGokGPReZIAA9aJq3E427ZFcW7P0Xzn-UTLMGnSbMV0D0m1yv9Jwibji-laBG_hzXm1-ln1Tqo-YWg3XMdeYmVZn852EYZOETc4E/s640/IMG_2238.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuogSTAnCRwBJ5gB6oapnNcWP1CgZllCUd15gTy_FKC1LpM3vE2DXmXupEET-QXHZF_r0w4eMXq1a2Ik0bShyphenhyphenRAGR0Zpyrbruni49rFhv4sd-iicMu8sl7lJxmNCok2ropKsGpPgRvc8/s1600/IMG_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuogSTAnCRwBJ5gB6oapnNcWP1CgZllCUd15gTy_FKC1LpM3vE2DXmXupEET-QXHZF_r0w4eMXq1a2Ik0bShyphenhyphenRAGR0Zpyrbruni49rFhv4sd-iicMu8sl7lJxmNCok2ropKsGpPgRvc8/s640/IMG_2242.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4lwdgnsV2Gh4g_snywM8T56sFiXmrNAwdTyzbzdeQQvC3cjeUSB2eoi51VrDfM6sywz4wDWZpDL5GM6CoW1WSb2gAgoFTdrVKKpa93LghA3CoZFWQZGyPc-hgdoaOPkSHTOpbP4Tc1w/s1600/IMG_2246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4lwdgnsV2Gh4g_snywM8T56sFiXmrNAwdTyzbzdeQQvC3cjeUSB2eoi51VrDfM6sywz4wDWZpDL5GM6CoW1WSb2gAgoFTdrVKKpa93LghA3CoZFWQZGyPc-hgdoaOPkSHTOpbP4Tc1w/s640/IMG_2246.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone thinks their daddy is funny...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-22209744693026780312013-04-11T10:58:00.003-07:002013-04-12T11:02:36.521-07:00Post-partum depression<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXJyrY_0rTozKufJq41FGFTS4zNlTqLi1B1UIth1qYyxvYYRkH56vrC_9XHD-bC11PqtLOkd5XleeWZ9W7usdiLdp4uBrmFph_eNfK7_xC0yVkfaeGRm9Tg8AtRXLPoUm-bGEo8lr3PM/s640/blogger-image--1461692047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXJyrY_0rTozKufJq41FGFTS4zNlTqLi1B1UIth1qYyxvYYRkH56vrC_9XHD-bC11PqtLOkd5XleeWZ9W7usdiLdp4uBrmFph_eNfK7_xC0yVkfaeGRm9Tg8AtRXLPoUm-bGEo8lr3PM/s640/blogger-image--1461692047.jpg" /></a>I am writing this because I know there are other women out there, or you know someone, who will go through post-partum depression.<br />
<br />
It needs to be talked about more so those of us that feel like we hit rock bottom don't think we are alone (I personally feel Satan uses isolation and loneliness to the "T"). So here is a little of my story and hopefully it is edifying and encouraging to at least one of you or to someone you know:<br />
<br />
I can't say I was entirely ready to be a mom. My husband and I were totally blessed and were able to get pregnant not too far into our marriage. But, we had been married only 9 months when we found out. I was never someone dying to have kids, partly because they totally intimidate me and secondly because I knew it wasn't easy. Nonetheless, we were very thankful and I was super excited to have Matt as my partner for it.<br />
<br />
Our dear little girl, Miss Ruth Charlotte, was born on February 8th at 4 o'clock in the afternoon after I had been induced that morning. The labor wasn't awful (I can say that one year after) but I promised at that point to never do it again. Personally, I would opt to never be induced again but Ruth was moving around so much that I was in a lot of pain so I thought it would be "easier" with her on the other side.<br />
<br />
Not so much the case.<br />
<br />
The first, and what turned out to be the only, night at the hospital was one of no sleep...and I was quite sore (for those of you who have had an episiotomy you might understand more). Ruth was not a sleeper from the start and actually quite fussy. I got a total of three hours of sleep in what felt like an old motel room-but my nurses were EXCELLENT so there was the upside. <br />
<br />
Needless to say, I thought we would get more sleep at home.<br />
<br />
Not. True. The next six weeks were a collection of 1-2 hour chunks of sleep at night filled with a screaming baby in between, attempting to figure out why she was crying, having struggles breast-feeding (I went to the lactation nurses four times in the first week), and never being able to sleep and when I did have the chance-insomnia kicked in. The sleep deprivation, which as my mother wisely pointed out is a form of torture, left me waking up sweating and in complete panic multiple times each night.<br />
<br />
I was also skinnier than before I got pregnant within three weeks after delivery-all because I barely ate or slept (not recommended for weight loss).<br />
<br />
I would have panic attacks and start balling every night when it started getting dark. I couldn't nap during the day because Ruth would never sleep more than 30 minutes. I couldn't take baths because of the delivery-baths are MY THERAPY.<br />
<br />
All of this together left me a total mess. I didn't even know if I wanted to be a mom. I didn't understand people when they would say, "You must be so in love?!" I was so heart-broken, not so in love. I was grieving my marriage and the life we had. I was a girl who was always filled with hope and I had no idea how to look forward and believe that things would get better.<br />
<br />
My mom HAD to stay the night for six weeks because I was always on the brink of a major breakdown and I absolutely couldn't do it by myself. I would call her crying at 8pm and she would say, "Are you sure you don't need me?" and through the tears I would say, "I think I will be okay." And she would say, "I am coming over sweetie. I will be there in 20." <br />
<br />
And she was, every night (except for the amazing three nights that Matt's mom helped out). She would get there at 9pm and leave at 5:15am to go to work. Our nights were filled with Ruth getting up 4-5 times, I would feed her, try burping her, change her diaper, and then my mom would try putting the screaming little lady back to sleep. Between the two of us, we would each get about 4 hours of sleep total/night for six weeks.<br />
<br />
It honestly took me until just over a year after to even process through how horribly sad I was. It took me a long time to even be able to pray again because I felt so alone during that period and felt like God had left me. <b>I have learned that depression isolates our hearts, manipulates our minds, and tricks us into thinking that no one is with us, not even the One who died on the cross because He loved us so much. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Here is a list of things that helped me get through it and get out of it-just in case you are this woman or you happen to know someone:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>1)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Accept help. At all hours. I had girlfriends come and just hold Ruth for an hour so I could try to sleep.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>2)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Read truth. Read your Bible. Don't listen to the lies. They will destroy your heart and then eventually seep into every other beautiful part of your life. Please know that Satan is real (I have never felt something so real as I did during that period) and he is after your heart and as the verse goes, "He comes to seek, kill and destroy."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Sing worship songs. I got quite mad at my mom when she said this but it truly did help. When you are helplessly depressed it seems like the last thing to do...which means it is probably the first thing to do. If you aren't worshipping Jesus, or even just trying, then you are worshipping a seemingly deplorable situation which will just leave you in a crazy cycle.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>4)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Find things you love and do them. Baths, coffee, reading, exercising, etc.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>5)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Ask for help. Again I say this. You need it. More than you have ever needed it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>6)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Pray. Even if you really don't know Jesus, just say "God help." He does.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>7)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> Don't feel guilt. Guilt and shame are not from God and will not help. Grace and truth are. Seek these.</span><br />
<br />
I hope this helps even one of you and please know, you are not alone. It is the hardest job anyone can ever have and it literally takes all of you and then some more. But it is beautiful. And now I am overwhelmed by the beauty. I am grateful because I think this really hard time made this beautiful time exponentially brighter (even in the gray, Oregon, winter months).<br />
<br />
Grace and Peace,<br />
Anna N <br />
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-45813620735147437972013-04-10T09:58:00.001-07:002013-04-10T09:58:12.388-07:00Summer pregnancy staples: new polyvore addiction<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
So...about a month ago I signed up for a <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore</a> account and then got overly intimidated by the whole thing. Well, today I decided (while I am supposed to be working out...heading there next) to try it again and hallelujah, my college degree is good for something!<br />
<br />
I ordered the two skirts here from <a href="http://www.swell.com/">Swell</a> and now am admittedly feeling like I wish I was a surfer girl. Naturally, this goes so well with Oregon weather (it is currently a downpour outside). Also, the sports bra type thing is from Forever 21 and is the best bra I have ever owned-and they are $4.80. Wow. <br />
<br />
I am quite excited about this because I actually worked in retail for quite a few years (Ralph Lauren in Aspen and before I was able to sometimes be a buyer for a small boutique in college which allowed me to go the LA Clothing Mart). As a mom I do think you need some sort of creative outlet and since my sewing machine tends to remind me of the air conditioning unit in Elf, I am choosing the digital creativity instead.<br />
<br />
PS: I think I have only purchased five maternity items in all of my brief preggo times. I really just try to find things that I can use all the time and thankfully, drapey tends to still be in.<br />
<br />
Love, Anna<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/summer_pregnancy_staples/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=78488137" target="_blank"><img alt="Summer pregnancy staples" border="0" force="1" height="541" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/wN9rVdo0Y1j6lZgqDXUfIw/cid/78488137/id/L95t3K1cRMKDxccxmwXm4A/size/c600x541.jpg" title="Summer pregnancy staples" width="600" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/summer_pregnancy_staples/set?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=78488137" target="_blank">Summer pregnancy staples</a> by <a href="http://annajnorman.polyvore.com/?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger" target="_blank">annajnorman</a> featuring a <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sports_bra/shop?query=sports+bra" target="_blank">sports bra</a></small></div>
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<br />
<small></small><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<small>Billabong <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=75717820" rel="nofollow">beach top</a>, $32 / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=75197185" rel="nofollow">Swell skirt</a> / Forever 21 <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=60177510" rel="nofollow">sports bra</a> / Steve Madden <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=75558599" rel="nofollow">ankle wrap flat sandals</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=63556113" rel="nofollow">Flat heels</a> / Jennifer Zeuner <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=67286636" rel="nofollow">cable chain necklace</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=80024773" rel="nofollow">Bangle jewelry</a> / <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6235728&.svc=blogger&id=78760754" rel="nofollow">Element Juniors Tasha Skirt</a></small></div>
</div>
</div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-78026010777196700912013-04-05T11:11:00.001-07:002013-04-05T11:11:49.926-07:00Disneyland...dreamland <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JODGkwXM5PY55eTMq0T09b_ZqXsZUi-w8slUXwiCgOJ3USN5gB5-wakJbnxG8iTLQFfEMdtfcZySskVJ_74UBbae46FPsWbR-BtfjWhy6mrXhK36Bb45dXYoMjW8frCP6NzehyphenhyphenxMLHM/s1600/IMG_2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JODGkwXM5PY55eTMq0T09b_ZqXsZUi-w8slUXwiCgOJ3USN5gB5-wakJbnxG8iTLQFfEMdtfcZySskVJ_74UBbae46FPsWbR-BtfjWhy6mrXhK36Bb45dXYoMjW8frCP6NzehyphenhyphenxMLHM/s400/IMG_2029.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
First off, advice for anyone out there who might be considering going to Disneyland at spring break, don't go. It is just even better with a tens of thousands fewer people. There, that is the last I will say about that.<br />
<br />
We had a lovely time with both of our families (we missed the Casadys, Kate and Meggie) and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for us Oregonians-high 60s to low 70s. <br />
<br />
Highlights:<br />
<br />
1) Ruth's expression when she saw Minnie. It was pure joy and shock at the same time. Life size Minnie!?!? She wasn't so sure when it came time to get a picture with her.<br />
<br />
2) Eating dinner at Naples Pizzeria with both of our families. It was actually quite hard to connect both groups given we were staying on opposite ends of the park and we were working around Ruth's schedule so the two dinners we had were amazing!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oJjz2UstGCGCqTG_W5zqTRMK0TydUjEYU79x0ltdmOloB5Gejx4VocGmrWfpVaA5apuLIWA2ukIG4_HYLxjb95Cb0Eh0FI3cH_rxQGZVp5TiH2c8kcOfayZexkmeFEafcAfio6PgOkk/s1600/IMG_2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oJjz2UstGCGCqTG_W5zqTRMK0TydUjEYU79x0ltdmOloB5Gejx4VocGmrWfpVaA5apuLIWA2ukIG4_HYLxjb95Cb0Eh0FI3cH_rxQGZVp5TiH2c8kcOfayZexkmeFEafcAfio6PgOkk/s320/IMG_2031.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
3) Cars ride!!!! Seriously, the fast pass line (just to get a pass) was a 45 minute wait and they were all gone by 9am...crazy. But it was amazing!!!! And it was the only "no preggo" ride that my OB said I could ride :) I just stared at Screamin' and dreamt of a time I will be able to go on it again (I LOVE rollercoasters).<br />
<br />
4) I had nice a conversation with a cast member named Johnnie about his little boy and before you know it, he gave us a 12 person pass to the front of ANY line! We used it on Nemo (which actually wasn't super exciting). Still, so awesome and we were so grateful!<br />
<br />
5) Matt and I's date night: I have been so desperate for more time with my husband. Having a kid (and a delightful one) is such a blessing but it definitely alters your marriage. My parents took Ruth one night and we got to eat dinner at the Park, eat ice cream-two scoops for me, get a Disney shirt, watch Fantasmic, and 8 minutes of Dreams Come True (high winds ended it early). It was so amazing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVmC8X-apFYXmo7Ykbm8XprJGd12VBe3CWVVYcN22Wkqfab-gfU9sC-7LK7w-C7rIOjgvMpmcN-5XDbNiHlODdvRFphikliffVn3m5J9LDzm_80H85wkm_ChYwhVTblUCs373OhHyiOI/s1600/IMG_2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVmC8X-apFYXmo7Ykbm8XprJGd12VBe3CWVVYcN22Wkqfab-gfU9sC-7LK7w-C7rIOjgvMpmcN-5XDbNiHlODdvRFphikliffVn3m5J9LDzm_80H85wkm_ChYwhVTblUCs373OhHyiOI/s400/IMG_2033.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfMa_WXB0NDVp0Zfbyb1IlxmhyZ8QtccbZ7u48qLJHGYwXahp44GP6lPwrYBlDhC2HT8qMAwAvQwlukA1tngXfa0fwQuRqFSMQoIhhVVJqDbvMkBBreDIA01PXR-veC8HkUksTjMLauQ/s1600/IMG_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfMa_WXB0NDVp0Zfbyb1IlxmhyZ8QtccbZ7u48qLJHGYwXahp44GP6lPwrYBlDhC2HT8qMAwAvQwlukA1tngXfa0fwQuRqFSMQoIhhVVJqDbvMkBBreDIA01PXR-veC8HkUksTjMLauQ/s320/IMG_2045.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAqfLzudPgvTSz2d-l-Rwz6iX-Z5suxmW8M7A47Ks80Jf3PESwLx3ZME8MRhwWzEPPRQcZazx_PLLyaiaBr_teYHUxp_d-qPsLyEIt6OTPEC0aB4hMsdYqDCI4B2knePCaLhrXhF433U/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAqfLzudPgvTSz2d-l-Rwz6iX-Z5suxmW8M7A47Ks80Jf3PESwLx3ZME8MRhwWzEPPRQcZazx_PLLyaiaBr_teYHUxp_d-qPsLyEIt6OTPEC0aB4hMsdYqDCI4B2knePCaLhrXhF433U/s400/IMG_2049.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAB3nasbbgg5juRLPCW0kwyTyB_bX8e9M1snIatqWS-Hz9Rm82GuP7d8i_kjxIlPm9wreJysPWoe7HjqLV-TdBNeQ0EtziVdAHaUZ7ZNcS-xR7AHFuzDDOJlSm4gzyZdQI1YUrW3-iuVY/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAB3nasbbgg5juRLPCW0kwyTyB_bX8e9M1snIatqWS-Hz9Rm82GuP7d8i_kjxIlPm9wreJysPWoe7HjqLV-TdBNeQ0EtziVdAHaUZ7ZNcS-xR7AHFuzDDOJlSm4gzyZdQI1YUrW3-iuVY/s320/IMG_2077.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujv3OaooxAoqxNRtXa4Grr657n6SflmV0AK1d_4GBuzEziyWeqT72NGX_INT9mOjKKsEMS3Z4bZqbAv850pMheaItPsvNa2LhvOW7za_4vkWqlZ6mCn5e64t6-KAJChfwbBf1n5iph5E/s1600/IMG_2093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujv3OaooxAoqxNRtXa4Grr657n6SflmV0AK1d_4GBuzEziyWeqT72NGX_INT9mOjKKsEMS3Z4bZqbAv850pMheaItPsvNa2LhvOW7za_4vkWqlZ6mCn5e64t6-KAJChfwbBf1n5iph5E/s320/IMG_2093.jpg" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BKrYLDWHOUJauVaVpSrXf7PLGgj7XFpsO9bKYQ1qV52P0GggTlxVFTZuRFIq5Nhex6G3EJw_H2bcukiX2df9MOZKYQp5J-Px-VgVbFOdJ1YhxZYtozBxqdHfYJkm1i8zlKvKFZ58v78/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BKrYLDWHOUJauVaVpSrXf7PLGgj7XFpsO9bKYQ1qV52P0GggTlxVFTZuRFIq5Nhex6G3EJw_H2bcukiX2df9MOZKYQp5J-Px-VgVbFOdJ1YhxZYtozBxqdHfYJkm1i8zlKvKFZ58v78/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cvG0SjUzppX8Wa15zjrQCa6NVm_IMIUl_xF1ermnCSlW7uS0nBxIpRZexUiceYP3uS1GGf9gD8EJMJ_cRZrEsQ5Wfsd1-sEyKfjQYIHBY3_uegbLYpqg-WhPX_ergh607f_SAB4NfmM/s1600/IMG_2117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cvG0SjUzppX8Wa15zjrQCa6NVm_IMIUl_xF1ermnCSlW7uS0nBxIpRZexUiceYP3uS1GGf9gD8EJMJ_cRZrEsQ5Wfsd1-sEyKfjQYIHBY3_uegbLYpqg-WhPX_ergh607f_SAB4NfmM/s400/IMG_2117.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0Q_aCZwy7inSfecw6ZCBQHeqg4HZc3HpmDMf8g-9Kt7SG2NSuc6W7R3NybMNCqiy4dsE_DfMmOJl__Bm_AOi7I1JPBIGvXbrRSjtFu4ZyCijMEofFMS-b_YkzghHyT7S1FABCwCeu2E/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0Q_aCZwy7inSfecw6ZCBQHeqg4HZc3HpmDMf8g-9Kt7SG2NSuc6W7R3NybMNCqiy4dsE_DfMmOJl__Bm_AOi7I1JPBIGvXbrRSjtFu4ZyCijMEofFMS-b_YkzghHyT7S1FABCwCeu2E/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD_fmmomWYhRCQmHSsUwiQ1KRgCa-NkVt6vKlQ6y_t0CpQXVFvGpTDFxul03I8XYCCywVPowayt6tCzW-U8ek8-SrhosOI_zJDQxgF9UelR5-xFvC1LKZNgAQSbual7fnuY2gbDJnlv8/s1600/IMG_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD_fmmomWYhRCQmHSsUwiQ1KRgCa-NkVt6vKlQ6y_t0CpQXVFvGpTDFxul03I8XYCCywVPowayt6tCzW-U8ek8-SrhosOI_zJDQxgF9UelR5-xFvC1LKZNgAQSbual7fnuY2gbDJnlv8/s400/IMG_2141.jpg" width="300" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs06YWcXohyDtI-WkdRerF1Ib_r2auPtQIRicTGPMesmfOeQjWH9Fyj7Ah7Ht2CdeHnvV2tr94CtdAT18cplCqXlbGEANf03IC9ReMTDW6yG0UVwOfX0edTEdwM3t6cBdVul4fbK-phg/s1600/IMG_2100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs06YWcXohyDtI-WkdRerF1Ib_r2auPtQIRicTGPMesmfOeQjWH9Fyj7Ah7Ht2CdeHnvV2tr94CtdAT18cplCqXlbGEANf03IC9ReMTDW6yG0UVwOfX0edTEdwM3t6cBdVul4fbK-phg/s400/IMG_2100.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCf8WIDifsO8Uf5Uk_UuxCDECBcukYH9TEKBTo4JWOW0wBL8YYMni5dLPxWZ_Fif3wK6vPTkWVRaMfVyhWIWYyq0EzqH-bLdKGRKC3kyyW0XT5Uo_-HacUMWxjcnMsGSbWAQbCb0OYF4/s1600/IMG_2138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCf8WIDifsO8Uf5Uk_UuxCDECBcukYH9TEKBTo4JWOW0wBL8YYMni5dLPxWZ_Fif3wK6vPTkWVRaMfVyhWIWYyq0EzqH-bLdKGRKC3kyyW0XT5Uo_-HacUMWxjcnMsGSbWAQbCb0OYF4/s400/IMG_2138.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhgANvidsmU0XIN9PkUQxC04eulm6wnWkVzjlQVFAaskQF_UMQ1tKVbiA10dP-dS_DdTzX2iJIj8vKKDubXhB6de4wOhZfdT7P3eEdMPUWYbPbYl0z5dVKqgNLRMno_25BC33SP2jUBY/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhgANvidsmU0XIN9PkUQxC04eulm6wnWkVzjlQVFAaskQF_UMQ1tKVbiA10dP-dS_DdTzX2iJIj8vKKDubXhB6de4wOhZfdT7P3eEdMPUWYbPbYl0z5dVKqgNLRMno_25BC33SP2jUBY/s400/IMG_2161.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UrvvTLYzK5AiCoaTGvjEGTIKx3qrN4XZdtxNFX8Ym3CptmnmTYFKF1U1nalGHeHm24R83E-WyzVRsKlZtYhaoiykqA3aQVhuRPl5GsTEnm3j8ptvKE4kBTrorGX7ilObi8U80mu3cOQ/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UrvvTLYzK5AiCoaTGvjEGTIKx3qrN4XZdtxNFX8Ym3CptmnmTYFKF1U1nalGHeHm24R83E-WyzVRsKlZtYhaoiykqA3aQVhuRPl5GsTEnm3j8ptvKE4kBTrorGX7ilObi8U80mu3cOQ/s320/IMG_2147.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHtN8ivOMzQsYOiRq68K_1x6MkZVOkN0_PU3HCF81HLyIGYyLdQL8RWWJSxf8dRbBy3_VXN98qFnn8ayrQsZutSO7xuSKQqN4A9E-0LCPbRrqsOZhEOAV4XZDGTdTn4GdUA9cwEqf5Zk/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHtN8ivOMzQsYOiRq68K_1x6MkZVOkN0_PU3HCF81HLyIGYyLdQL8RWWJSxf8dRbBy3_VXN98qFnn8ayrQsZutSO7xuSKQqN4A9E-0LCPbRrqsOZhEOAV4XZDGTdTn4GdUA9cwEqf5Zk/s320/IMG_2180.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8O8ims6FxKBEKKM50j6xTrSSEbKaMaliJWvhGIvp9Q6Zw1rgxx31Mog-Dr2PYrgXkPdS_CIjgs3lD1q_KiT64BxaMGFBegtcnvVjUDVOEYAqirRPEPifrtoCRedhSRiHBmtPsQxKABg/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8O8ims6FxKBEKKM50j6xTrSSEbKaMaliJWvhGIvp9Q6Zw1rgxx31Mog-Dr2PYrgXkPdS_CIjgs3lD1q_KiT64BxaMGFBegtcnvVjUDVOEYAqirRPEPifrtoCRedhSRiHBmtPsQxKABg/s400/IMG_2167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4mZBtIg-nyq_z84-wLGH4v1j92RIWYQAH5B2P12314jlTVaKBSelH5TUJe7_E-dRSQAMHys37HFz4IwfYs8jePG2l6hzpXrhsk9W8yDKC_FPXknuFbR9qlSVnl1jkSR9LIVreSOXVkU/s1600/IMG_2181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4mZBtIg-nyq_z84-wLGH4v1j92RIWYQAH5B2P12314jlTVaKBSelH5TUJe7_E-dRSQAMHys37HFz4IwfYs8jePG2l6hzpXrhsk9W8yDKC_FPXknuFbR9qlSVnl1jkSR9LIVreSOXVkU/s400/IMG_2181.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvgHkJDI7Mg5xib7vyWgN4eQH4XUieytc44ObC7UXSsoVca7YOuLVKg2voPM83XEGUzpvjnc3C4OZJJP0KS0Qnr-k5Inl3g3CzKLtPWXuc1q4Z5ECOLRDfclorA2YAuIkqF0u28SDVRU/s1600/IMG_2190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvgHkJDI7Mg5xib7vyWgN4eQH4XUieytc44ObC7UXSsoVca7YOuLVKg2voPM83XEGUzpvjnc3C4OZJJP0KS0Qnr-k5Inl3g3CzKLtPWXuc1q4Z5ECOLRDfclorA2YAuIkqF0u28SDVRU/s400/IMG_2190.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODqFENcHEujD8-Up2xYlZoseBCrXsM34d4smW0NEXI2Wlwi9Y8jw730cS9v9XqlHMgIC4kQs5UqFL_KVzrD8-wumYALlNTJn7OGM1l2rYQjMl-CxUp-fJH-MQE3IYsiregChf2eapU5k/s1600/IMG_2186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODqFENcHEujD8-Up2xYlZoseBCrXsM34d4smW0NEXI2Wlwi9Y8jw730cS9v9XqlHMgIC4kQs5UqFL_KVzrD8-wumYALlNTJn7OGM1l2rYQjMl-CxUp-fJH-MQE3IYsiregChf2eapU5k/s400/IMG_2186.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH-GToVIWizT6BMroJVh-wpn3UVURv_NqMA36EJLLbPsZc2gZZ8sAdtbQdFOi20z_1kkBVEYURHpoZuZzaQRq0AJEYCgiWnT72x3cYnnG_VJiG0hweF-cuuRdxs2_3RcVfRWqIULrkOk/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH-GToVIWizT6BMroJVh-wpn3UVURv_NqMA36EJLLbPsZc2gZZ8sAdtbQdFOi20z_1kkBVEYURHpoZuZzaQRq0AJEYCgiWnT72x3cYnnG_VJiG0hweF-cuuRdxs2_3RcVfRWqIULrkOk/s400/IMG_2193.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx32ITx1ZpqZD4HQm3TfNuzn77eDe_g_ivYsu0vC8U23Al1Srfx2xZJjdm_ACJBSJSXQ9b-axi-9DsyvZk1CEjrpthD-UxYsUTxDdRn2fbz_umtjaz19Ezmdrvy8n_joixGSmlZ3EDd4w/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx32ITx1ZpqZD4HQm3TfNuzn77eDe_g_ivYsu0vC8U23Al1Srfx2xZJjdm_ACJBSJSXQ9b-axi-9DsyvZk1CEjrpthD-UxYsUTxDdRn2fbz_umtjaz19Ezmdrvy8n_joixGSmlZ3EDd4w/s400/IMG_2201.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27w_-JmGJVrC7sMARkMer9X-H91ZwPzpdjSOZT_UEeEbXoDHXcUNsAEbB3jadE_K5aU8hqmMeJ-0pVaHlMb11YAdV0Bfnmzg0gIRdlWBbLjt5EXx5PYcwwwDizheK99wjulRgE3Ad8xs/s1600/IMG_2202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27w_-JmGJVrC7sMARkMer9X-H91ZwPzpdjSOZT_UEeEbXoDHXcUNsAEbB3jadE_K5aU8hqmMeJ-0pVaHlMb11YAdV0Bfnmzg0gIRdlWBbLjt5EXx5PYcwwwDizheK99wjulRgE3Ad8xs/s400/IMG_2202.jpg" width="300" /></a>So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-20035497381521081692013-04-01T10:57:00.000-07:002013-04-01T10:57:40.312-07:00tearsThis last weekend was a huge blessing. Easter is definitely my favorite holiday-it restores my heart just in knowing that Jesus is so real and is changing the lives of tons of people I know (as well as my own). And that the Author of my story (as long as I let Him), is a million times greater, and more powerful and gracious, than I. Where my eloquence fails, His grace and mercy abound. And Jesus means forgiveness-which releases anyone who chooses from bitterness and guilt and shame. And who wouldn't want that???<br />
<br />
Onto the singular "tears" word of the title:<br />
<br />
I met a gal on Saturday, at the most delightful Easter egg hunt (of which Ruth just ate fruit, smiled and said "hi" to everyone, and fell madly in love with a huge foam pit), who has just gone through a huge change in her life. I knew part of her story because one of my besties has been directly involved. This lady is beautiful, has four little ones, and has been married 12 years. Within the first two minutes of speaking with her, I was in tears. And so was she. Beauty overtook us.<br />
<br />
Then last night at church, singing a song about Jesus's resurrection, I had to fight back tears that seemed to be drawing my mascara down my face. Multiple times.<br />
<br />
Then last week we found out one of our friends, who happens to be besties with one of the gals we do dinner with every Wednesday night, was put on hospice at the age of 30. She has a six month old son. And a husband of only 1.5 years. And I balled. I am crying just typing this.<br />
<br />
And that gal, that I wrote of above, is in perfect peace. PERFECT. Hope rules her life and her story (this is her third fight with brain cancer) and Jesus is her everything. She only asked for prayer for her family...not even for her pain. <br />
<br />
And I cried more when I read that she wrote that.<br />
<br />
And then I thought, one of the most beautiful things about my life is that Jesus gives us hearts that are moved. And mine, pregnant or not, has rarely ever made it through one day without tearing up-whether it be joy or sorrow.<br />
<br />
I pray you know Jesus and you experience His beauty everyday and that you get to live a life that is filled with tears. Because while some are from brokenness, many are from overwhelming beauty and from stories that catch your heart and your soul by surprise and take your life soaring.So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-7593932170450471982013-03-22T16:30:00.000-07:002013-03-22T16:30:09.286-07:00The nursery (the first one)<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is a little late, and I posted it awhile back with no real info, but I figured I should get up the details of Ruth's nursery (which was decorated with us not knowing if it would be a boy or girl) before I start on the next little one's nursery. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I LOVE Ruth's room. It is such a sanctuary and is just pure joy. Maybe it is the colors, maybe it is the dresser, maybe the rug, or maybe just what the room represents. Either way, it delights my soul and I think the room truly matches our little doll so well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the budget/what we spent as well as the commentary for anyone wondering what to do:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Total Spent: $480</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Thanks to my parents, otherwise you could add $200 onto that)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Paint: $40. </b>This included paint for the walls and the dresser. The yellow and mint were both Martha Stewart from Home Depot and while I like Martha, her paint is not that great (especially on the dresser).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And PS: our house was built in the 60s so we used the indentations on the wood paneling and that made it quite easy to do the stripes :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Curtains and pullbacks: $40 </b>from Target-since then we had to add black out curtains so the adorable look is gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dresser/changing table: $150 </b>This was a gem of a find on craigslist. It was seriously in perfect condition-and for you wood lovers, I apologize, because I sanded and painted it :) I searched for "antique buffet." This one was made in the 1950s.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Crib/mattress: $225 </b>(but this was a gift from my amazing parents). Crib is found <a href="http://www.target.com/p/davinci-jenny-lind-stationary-crib-white/-/A-11902253?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11902253&CPNG=Baby&kpid=11902253&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11902253">here</a>. I am in love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Shelves in closet and on wall: $52 </b>Ikea. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10159099/#/30193733">Here</a> and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19876454/">here</a>. The Antonius baskets were bought on a super sale for $10 each instead of the regular $19.99.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chair: $69</b>. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79825193/#/S19805433"> Ikea Poang chair </a>with natural colored cushion. I love the comfort of this chair although I wish it had higher arms (to rest on when you have been up 6 times a night). Trust me-they may be ugly but Lazy-boys make a lot of sense for a nursing chair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nightstand table: $0 </b>(found at a garage sale years ago).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lamp on dresser and mirror: $0</b> (found at a garage sale years ago)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sheepskin rug: $129</b>, <a href="http://www.costco.com/Auskin-Lambskin-Collection.product.100007232.html">Costco</a> (and seriously the best rug EVER). They charge quite a bit for shipping so it is best to find it at a local Costco (they are seasonal).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lamp on nightstand, mobile and switchplate cover: </b>All Matt's from when he was little :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJjPq9hYoHpDMbmqaFf5OCimV1ILwTyCTuXNyCD3eePvsW0iB0Ebifai1h9HSAS796oziSOeap4xJ3N8dYcWXr4jWWviDMDQ054EoYmK6tKDiq3VUa__29Fl_wd008xOwYlBkRlexxRw/s1600/IMG_4981_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJjPq9hYoHpDMbmqaFf5OCimV1ILwTyCTuXNyCD3eePvsW0iB0Ebifai1h9HSAS796oziSOeap4xJ3N8dYcWXr4jWWviDMDQ054EoYmK6tKDiq3VUa__29Fl_wd008xOwYlBkRlexxRw/s640/IMG_4981_2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKHml6vjVsw93ovRloYyINfg0hrY4GFkXNX1UyLmec4SdA1sdhmp0j5ZOPgd3lPAIQn20YZnGIqYpdzsVLiZ4CfSIqFXhsBqjqp_gbimHAX_1_JBE7LLgpK2os_WCHhXZ_tZWp6-poM8/s1600/IMG_4991_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKHml6vjVsw93ovRloYyINfg0hrY4GFkXNX1UyLmec4SdA1sdhmp0j5ZOPgd3lPAIQn20YZnGIqYpdzsVLiZ4CfSIqFXhsBqjqp_gbimHAX_1_JBE7LLgpK2os_WCHhXZ_tZWp6-poM8/s640/IMG_4991_2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d02_AY-xsSdKEVO4WbCoRiWwelZWviqdMiEUGRmvBsfFpyjjUJbL_bjDN2LFax9B4Fh3uqUjJuBmVqFCOR1YVfFVDSXJWWyKK2FcLbazFtf15caFlkV64iBzFQDVHi-tnxHCqSy8z3Y/s1600/IMG_4980_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d02_AY-xsSdKEVO4WbCoRiWwelZWviqdMiEUGRmvBsfFpyjjUJbL_bjDN2LFax9B4Fh3uqUjJuBmVqFCOR1YVfFVDSXJWWyKK2FcLbazFtf15caFlkV64iBzFQDVHi-tnxHCqSy8z3Y/s640/IMG_4980_2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GdW0U6tAUT5uhSl75jrF8uo5d6-VRjOyI3orax8qcYaC6zmhHqi961HJwGXUJSy2QzgaJtSlNAtRGF0mGQ83NDdbVj66x58vEPNaJtU16Wz1uPuF7y_jnbiLJUEHRe3p3FS_Fak7J8A/s1600/IMG_4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GdW0U6tAUT5uhSl75jrF8uo5d6-VRjOyI3orax8qcYaC6zmhHqi961HJwGXUJSy2QzgaJtSlNAtRGF0mGQ83NDdbVj66x58vEPNaJtU16Wz1uPuF7y_jnbiLJUEHRe3p3FS_Fak7J8A/s640/IMG_4994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-SrbXrxJo3Yl7ERrwWbe7fK18clpQ0LHA2_gAPvjMBqu_Ra7P76wzN9Yw8kRlI0uNFMjknyxuz6_ofA4Mc3tAwybE_W76mjmxyHEnzKKU-8_5hddNfr4sXH_6G-cRee1BkGlTAPB0mc/s1600/IMG_4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-SrbXrxJo3Yl7ERrwWbe7fK18clpQ0LHA2_gAPvjMBqu_Ra7P76wzN9Yw8kRlI0uNFMjknyxuz6_ofA4Mc3tAwybE_W76mjmxyHEnzKKU-8_5hddNfr4sXH_6G-cRee1BkGlTAPB0mc/s640/IMG_4993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me know if you have any questions! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love, Anna N</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-2777042950171150472013-03-19T10:32:00.002-07:002013-03-19T10:32:28.643-07:00Top 10 things about baby<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought I would follow along with Amanda over at <a href="http://www.marshallsabroad.com/">Marshalls Abroad</a> (she is purely perfect-highly recommend reading her blog) regarding some things/updates on this pregnancy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here we go!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">1.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><b>How Far Along</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">: 14.5 weeks! Our little one is about the size of an apple (or pick a similar fruit). Everything looks super-duper healthy! Hallelujah. Barely showing, only at night, and haven't gained any weight (yet). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">2.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><b>Different with another little one</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">: I am quite sure the lack of weight gain is due to the fact that Ruth would like to eat all of my food. Every time I go to eat anything she says, "Num!". Which is her way of saying, "Please, mommy." Also, there isn't a lot of downtime with a 13 month old so I often forget I am pregnant.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">3.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><b> Cravings/Aversions</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">: Strangely, nothing. Last time I didn't want Mexican food/Chipotle for the first trimester (which is shocking given we had Chipotle at our wedding because I love it that much...and now I think I just talked myself into ordering it for lunch). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">4.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> <b>Symptoms: </b>The only real pregnancy symptom I get is going to the bathroom between 5-7 times during the middle of the night...I will take it in place of nausea and sickness and I am so sorry to anyone who gets those symptoms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">5.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> <b>What I miss: </b>wine :) That's about it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">6.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> <b>Clothing changes: </b>Nothing maternity yet although I can feel the "thickening" and the jeans getting a smidgeon tighter. I have been on a maxi-skirt kick and hoping it lasts into the summer (I tend to get chubby feet at the end and would rather them be hidden)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">7.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><b>Sleep</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">: The first trimester was full of mid-morning naps but thankfully that crazy fatigue period is over.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">8.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><b>Emotions</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;">: I think I am still in recovery mode for how different marriage was/is with children. Marriage is such an amazing thing but only becomes amazing with tons of work and compromise. So yes, so I don't keep dodging the question, my emotions have been a little high and I cry quite easily but nothing too dramatic (don't ask Matt:)). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>9. Boy or Girl?</b> I really don't seem to care! I would love to have another girl so Ruth could have a sister but I am totally in for whatever Jesus has in the works. And yes, we are finding out this time!!! We didn't with Ruth and it was AMAZING. Everyone, aside from three people, thought it would be a boy. I carried high, only out in front, she moved a TON, and I had great skin...and then out pops a little girl!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>10. Names? </b>We do have names picked out but will wait to release until we find out who this little one truly is (in regards to boy or girl)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #685848; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Love, Anna</span></span>So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-46796755546926752762013-03-18T10:34:00.000-07:002013-03-18T10:34:14.285-07:00Pardon the dust...I am attempting to re-do my blog...the operative word being "attempting." SEriously-what in the world is "html???" And I never knew all of the shift buttons meant so much (and altered things so greatly). So please, stand-by. The likelihood rests high in the fact that I will call in professional reinforcements.<br />
<br />
In the mean time, please enjoy these few pictures from Ruthie's first trip to the zoo. She was rather unimpressed but at least she almost stayed in her stroller (well for 15 minutes) and seemed to enjoy all of the scenery-although not all that impressed with the animals. One day, baby girl!<br />
<br />
PS: How handsome is my husband? I think he is quite.<br />
PPS: Please ignore my momentary lapse of judgement with the brunette hair in the last pic. My senses came to me and after a month I went back to blonde.<br />
<br />
Upcoming features will be: a house tour (before/after), nursery budgets and design, and our trip to Disneyland!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4CyOKWbpBE59U6iAeEb_5p5PcbyC1Vlo-tR5jAJzVxFFE7FTVUvc8S_SLAD50bkVpHjTgQf_ZN1aiE_act2Scoh_PLitIwoEFf3LxAu9HcbZye2HukRwpSRrX51N4qiFqzaWP8-OWjw/s1600/IMG_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4CyOKWbpBE59U6iAeEb_5p5PcbyC1Vlo-tR5jAJzVxFFE7FTVUvc8S_SLAD50bkVpHjTgQf_ZN1aiE_act2Scoh_PLitIwoEFf3LxAu9HcbZye2HukRwpSRrX51N4qiFqzaWP8-OWjw/s640/IMG_2016.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADJc8jqPyxO0qyXTWPX6qYZZKPZSyBviwxnRaeLVX3cLOciYNmCg7m9z2RFS9vH1yeGXkYf6GotRhXcDq-_ZD8vaib8RNy7Ll7yKMmKP3FcLmPRCbsFRY4kOXCzritTEi_UiK-s0GY4E/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADJc8jqPyxO0qyXTWPX6qYZZKPZSyBviwxnRaeLVX3cLOciYNmCg7m9z2RFS9vH1yeGXkYf6GotRhXcDq-_ZD8vaib8RNy7Ll7yKMmKP3FcLmPRCbsFRY4kOXCzritTEi_UiK-s0GY4E/s640/IMG_2015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KJ47_5IoR98rKXwC59p4BTw7XmG66C14_1k01nA_l2vGtrEJnjF6S1Wvh733agYkfB7PTZXG4CSGzz0wrAi1EOiPl8CONiDvrpzwkk7hln67CgQeZ-bL4_hWDNR1CBl9Pe3Kx7pf0nw/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KJ47_5IoR98rKXwC59p4BTw7XmG66C14_1k01nA_l2vGtrEJnjF6S1Wvh733agYkfB7PTZXG4CSGzz0wrAi1EOiPl8CONiDvrpzwkk7hln67CgQeZ-bL4_hWDNR1CBl9Pe3Kx7pf0nw/s640/IMG_2018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-44965181850139471912013-03-13T13:35:00.001-07:002013-03-13T13:35:02.170-07:00Bloglovin'!<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3436861/?claim=2prtkwskzgg">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-38753860651672529642013-03-12T12:22:00.003-07:002013-03-12T12:22:54.094-07:00Love Letter to the Ladies: a Repost<br />
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">{Yes, this is a repost. It is taking some time for me to get my writing brain back up and in gear. Although-I just reread this and I feel like this is something we/I always need to hear. Hope it encourages you or someone you know, today.}</span></h2>
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dear lovelies:</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is my love letter to all of you. I want and know in my heart that some of you need to hear part of my story. It is not one of tragedy by any stretch but it is laced with choices that were not wise and were compounded with an insatiable desire to be known.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If you are woman, you know what I am talking about.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>We all want to be known.</b> And sadly, nearly all of us at one point were/are willing to do just about anything to be known, if even being "known"is only for a few minutes, hours, days, etc. I had that desire from the time I was about 17 to about 27-a decade of my life filled with my soul on the altar of being desired.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Some of my dearest friends know some of my stories. I won't go into a ton of detail but let's just say there were many nights where I don't remember how I got to where I was, many mornings where I didn't know who I had hung out with the night before, <b>YEARS of staring at my phone/computer </b>waiting for one person or another to call/text/etc/acknowledge me, times of driving under the influence that I don't even remember, etc.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was telling one of my amazing girlfriends some of these stories. She has a crazy story and a ton of brokenness from her father and her life growing up. We were talking about how I felt like I had a <b>hedge of protection</b> around me for all those years. Because, the interesting thing about my story is: that I somehow remained a virgin until I was married (any of my friends who were with me during this period of time would say aside from the mighty hand of God that would've been impossible-I mean IMPOSSIBLE), never got arrested, never got pursued by the men that I wanted to be pursued by (until my husband), and literally made it through ten straining years somewhat unscathed.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This same girlfriend recently went through a crazy experience where someone she knew ended up taking their own life and all of this stuff came out after (laden with nothing good: I mean affairs, multiple partners within two marriages, affairs with men/women, etc). She could never figure out why this one particular guy would never really pursue her, especially physically. He pursued everyone else and seemed to always keep her at arms distance in a quite respectful way. And trust me, this friend of mine is drop-dead-gorgeous and she could literally get asked out ten times a day.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was after she was telling me this whilst sitting on my couch that she with tears said, "<b>I know now exactly what you were talking about when you said there was a hedge of protection around you. Could you have imagined my life if I would've gotten involved with him</b>?"</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So please-I write you because I don't want <b>ANY of you to pine after someone/something that God did not intend for you</b>. It will destroy you in many instances and you will be left striving for your value not from your Maker but from another broken person. You will forget, quite easily, that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Satan tends to be an expert at telling lies regarding such.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Stop waiting for that boy to text or call. Stop trying to get drunk just to get the nerves to act a little bit "looser" so maybe more boys will pay attention. Stop saying to yourself, "if just this guy liked me."</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I did all of this. This is from my heart.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And start living. Pick up a Bible and learn who Jesus is and why you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Volunteer. A lot (one of the best seasons of my life). Serve others. Really start thinking about the purpose for this life and realize in that, who God made you to be and how much you are cherished.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And don't be me in the "lost" decade. God had SO MUCH GRACE on me and not only did I get an amazing husband, I also got a beautiful daughter who's soul just delights anyone around her. My heart also can now soar because, "<b>she who has been forgiven much, loves much.</b>" And because I know that grace was poured out on me, it helps me to realize the beauty of what can be and what often really is all around us.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So again, please don't use alcohol to lose yourself (because yourself is pretty awesome), please don't throw yourself at boys because I promise you...only ONE is worth your heart and I doubt it is the same one you will throw yourself at, and please, don't have a lost decade like I did.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love you. I really do. And if you are local-I like coffee dates and hearing peoples' stories. My schedule is just a little cray-cray these days :)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Love, Anna N</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Oh, and here is a post from awhile ago on "<a href="http://sotrulylovely.blogspot.com/2011/12/beautiful-life.html">waiting</a>."</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-4954956695503548432013-03-11T11:34:00.001-07:002013-03-11T11:34:03.689-07:00Pure joy.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am so undeserving of this little doll I get to spend my days with. I finally uploaded pictures from our point and shoot (I think I was three months overdue on this)- and it is laden with pictures of her beaming smile.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">God is so good. I don't deserve to have this little joyful, energetic, friendly (she says "Hi" to everyone in the stores), little miracle. But I certainly will take it and enjoy her!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was thinking of the verse: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. I am so excited for Ruth to get to know Jesus and from His love outpour all of these things. And for the record, her momma thinks that these things are so hard sometimes...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And here is some joy for your Monday. Seriously, look at that grin!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk7yDNCpEuxUPTWd8kusM1DHCXruFOI88p0MDIahoE5lhZQeBCqWyrnLQ6EoZl95iQD58rvyMYYUWXh7CAhS56H-z51yZ6ULiX02cjR-pQABP_QGdNlO2OyrKohkJl8uQJlbSmu-udic/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_yWkkrdpSEFZCpMDO2CBAriarwLrPo7HHshWyWFJUVPT7C_T_FtaTUz5C1WPr737M9OHJ7_FkkikHYMwcQDuvx9A5X3O-JNh0JwTNsrsvc4Z8qmHLpMztLGSWmd7miBONTSxXtAj3JE/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_yWkkrdpSEFZCpMDO2CBAriarwLrPo7HHshWyWFJUVPT7C_T_FtaTUz5C1WPr737M9OHJ7_FkkikHYMwcQDuvx9A5X3O-JNh0JwTNsrsvc4Z8qmHLpMztLGSWmd7miBONTSxXtAj3JE/s640/IMG_1850.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBOXPOsi4eZ1oQ20mni3eOqRvannBV-HmaYSBGqA2_XUdVhTTHAK7F7fqh_yWI7rtj_rvUje5HZAwuc9Zxbpzcg_rAugoM456EzWlY3oIk5aO-YsGCKXqmd_ZWj7SH-pLPl8WvJbShcA/s1600/IMG_1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBOXPOsi4eZ1oQ20mni3eOqRvannBV-HmaYSBGqA2_XUdVhTTHAK7F7fqh_yWI7rtj_rvUje5HZAwuc9Zxbpzcg_rAugoM456EzWlY3oIk5aO-YsGCKXqmd_ZWj7SH-pLPl8WvJbShcA/s640/IMG_1788.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGaf2uhPqeYAep0sEki0ElBbd5f8uIyQOLtdo4kEcep_TaeO4eAK92tpKINLAvCm0eShcWgCnBcZmxgcfpEqOzbEy17Re7Hg9zV6JAtjBI5rdYwH4HXJa0mercfx_iln6FW-H2I2ASl8/s1600/IMG_1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGaf2uhPqeYAep0sEki0ElBbd5f8uIyQOLtdo4kEcep_TaeO4eAK92tpKINLAvCm0eShcWgCnBcZmxgcfpEqOzbEy17Re7Hg9zV6JAtjBI5rdYwH4HXJa0mercfx_iln6FW-H2I2ASl8/s640/IMG_1875.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND9SCwHCHP5_NffJDwe-YQ5RjOQ4RkGS9S8pNlGhXELicveSP3JZ0sliY8iAhGjfB2ZurBQ6kYw0xVRBvHonVSd9lIkteHeW55M5D4MLR28ps8SLA_gU89w3cdGHOK8MxS-LVkVMOXXY/s1600/IMG_1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND9SCwHCHP5_NffJDwe-YQ5RjOQ4RkGS9S8pNlGhXELicveSP3JZ0sliY8iAhGjfB2ZurBQ6kYw0xVRBvHonVSd9lIkteHeW55M5D4MLR28ps8SLA_gU89w3cdGHOK8MxS-LVkVMOXXY/s640/IMG_1888.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhColVoGdggFIHWVazk0g5Tz8zQAuhhatQLOwfikzHXoOyQTkL0e15v2pZQSfb36oxb2JFLNLCNNqqZPi0-OUNExdkfLybEu4M8dTKTTmll74pxZcztOmQxOHw4M7Hms8JHXim9kfHaMs4/s1600/IMG_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhColVoGdggFIHWVazk0g5Tz8zQAuhhatQLOwfikzHXoOyQTkL0e15v2pZQSfb36oxb2JFLNLCNNqqZPi0-OUNExdkfLybEu4M8dTKTTmll74pxZcztOmQxOHw4M7Hms8JHXim9kfHaMs4/s640/IMG_2011.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-39761749158368010992013-03-05T10:28:00.001-08:002013-03-05T10:28:24.098-08:00Vacation? Something like that?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So I guess you could say I "vacated" the blog world for awhile. I must say, it was quite lovely. Of course, I was still slightly in love with perusing Instagram and pinterest so my attempt at removing myself from media was not that valiant by any stretch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nonetheless, I am back! I ran out of picture space after my last post-and let's be honest, what are posts without pictures??? Especially without pictures of our little girl? But somehow, after finally logging back on after over three months, I have discovered that somehow more picture space became available in the blogging land (which I understand nothing about).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I have had so many things on my heart, most of which come out a year that to say the least, wasn't that easy on me. Not because of circumstances per se, but because of my drab ability to see a glass half full and stop being so selfish (yuck-I for certain thought I would arrive someday with this self-I-me thing!).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And I know I want to share so many things. So many things that haven't been put on my heart just to stay in my head and then die a slow synaptic death (or maybe it's fast...axons/dendrites/who knows). I have had a real year with faith: one that has truly tested what I believe, what I choose to believe, and made me realize how much I am not good at faithfulness when things aren't easy-peasy. Another "yuck-I am really 32" moment.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And in news...we are expecting another little bundle of sheer joy in September!!! Seriously. I know. Not exactly what we were thinking but last I checked, my plans for my life weren't that excellent and God's plans so far have blown my itty bitty ones out of the water. Look at my husband...and our daughter named Ruth. Way better than my dreams.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Please let me know if there is anything you would love for me to write about and I will do my best. This will be a slow start back up but hopefully it will be all for Jesus and all for His glory. I know I am not supposed to stop writing-it wasn't good for me to stop and thus, my heart is answering the call to what God has so clearly placed in my life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Blabbering done. Here are two pictures of Ruth. There aren't enough words to describe her. She is pure joy: I have never seen anything like it. She says "hi" to EVERYONE and smiles with everything in her (and her ELEVEN teeth). I hope she brings joy to your soul today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBJjNVm7q5snijPaNylLGTGN5iK9dgmUvfU3TuxYtYBkJl4qnGeYJgwyqDwkdW3vsuii5NcPjphaoBu7-KqRXuutGyskZ9JZkd6Edbh5XJVUyRQf9xtbjOSc1xlFmva2X0hGxs5WhVIQ/s1600/Photo+on+2012-11-18+at+18.28+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBJjNVm7q5snijPaNylLGTGN5iK9dgmUvfU3TuxYtYBkJl4qnGeYJgwyqDwkdW3vsuii5NcPjphaoBu7-KqRXuutGyskZ9JZkd6Edbh5XJVUyRQf9xtbjOSc1xlFmva2X0hGxs5WhVIQ/s1600/Photo+on+2012-11-18+at+18.28+%235.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And it's blurry, because she never, ever stops moving (except when asleep). And yes, we did purchase a super-duper nice professional camera but at the rate this bean moves, it is nigh impossible to bust that camera out and get a pic of her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfehxdYTdodVxa4GyGx8pdlxYE7Zms72Jmxn7boXcWkbXRFZRkvWnCWl40WD7tm8iSFDgeAL7Dsi-rLjz0sLuiNjk4BjKZSum7jqg21CFG44Ek3twaXzY5GJj2jk0dlv39K9e_7mw6mn4/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfehxdYTdodVxa4GyGx8pdlxYE7Zms72Jmxn7boXcWkbXRFZRkvWnCWl40WD7tm8iSFDgeAL7Dsi-rLjz0sLuiNjk4BjKZSum7jqg21CFG44Ek3twaXzY5GJj2jk0dlv39K9e_7mw6mn4/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-19756756040405105002012-11-06T12:54:00.001-08:002012-11-06T12:54:35.130-08:00I've missed the One.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Kind of a rough season. Not because I am not blessed. Mainly because I am not thankful enough that I am blessed. Always a head game with us ladies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I miss my time with Jesus. Even for those of you who don't personally have a relationship with Him, you can imagine that the Jesus of the Bible is someone really cool to know and be loved by (even if you don't like some of his claim-to-be followers)(oh, and you are deeply loved by Him). I truly had such a sweet/redeeming/all-encompassing relationship with God for a few years. It was my foundation. It drove me to volunteer, to give freely, to love at all hours, to return phone calls and prayer requests at any time, to pay for people's rent, to keep my heart and wallet and most importantly, my time, open to anyone Jesus put in my path.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Because truly, that is what and who a Jesus follower is: one who will answer God's call at ANY second. Anywhere, anytime, anyone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had the time of my life spending hours upon hours with my Little. She has changed my life. Like no one else. I dream of being like her. And she is 17. And I met her because I was following Jesus and he truly led me to that organization and then gave me her to be one of my dearest and most admired friends for my whole life. We have known each for almost five years! And she is now the most servant-hearted girl I know. It puzzles her deeply that more high schoolers do not want to serve others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Read more about/and from her, <a href="http://sotrulylovely.blogspot.com/search/label/little">here</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKer6gp8JOprcxtW4lSMkcH0lfPFpDfPmXYxYdsrcC0s-wIhVHubEV-57_kY-YtQM8KvYvsPU8rzo2A3noLggIIBpVCPLcNV1eYO1ou8cf3nElAYig0wohcgZol909SCgGaEa1KkZPlIk/s1600/IMG_3872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKer6gp8JOprcxtW4lSMkcH0lfPFpDfPmXYxYdsrcC0s-wIhVHubEV-57_kY-YtQM8KvYvsPU8rzo2A3noLggIIBpVCPLcNV1eYO1ou8cf3nElAYig0wohcgZol909SCgGaEa1KkZPlIk/s640/IMG_3872.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">All because-I was available to whatever Jesus had for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And then he led me to volunteer with <a href="http://www.joyrx.org/home/about/">Children's Cancer Association</a>. I met an amazing young girl named Caitlyn and spent time with her until her cancer went into remission (sadly it is back again-for the 4th time). After her I was partnered with a spunky life-giver, Lesly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Because-I was available to whatever Jesus had for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lesly stole my heart. We spent a year together: having sleepovers (both of the Lesleys), taking her school shopping, going to the movies and dancing like we were crazy girls up and down the aisles, reading Narnia to her when she was on morphine, having her call me "Ginormica" from Monsters versus Aliens (she swore I looked like the girl in it-I just needed the shiny black unitard), visiting her in the hospital during chemo rounds, hanging out with her parents and watching Beverly Hills Chihuahua, doing anything and everything with the color pink, going on long drives so she could rock out to Miley Cyrus, taking her to OMSI, pushing her around her neighborhood in her wheelchair, and crying when she would yell at me because she was so worn out from it all. She became one of my dearest friends. She was 9. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8_ehp0PILKAL-KDN78_DlA_WuUtIJI29xklSDXSnqNTUQd6OiCFhtbbgAOwpMjrbH_za6PAPlCFiCZl3UXUAxXNKWnOT4FjJ6882n6ulCIJQawxuRMI4Al8BBQsTWLqJuTlSluan4Rs/s1600/IMG_1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8_ehp0PILKAL-KDN78_DlA_WuUtIJI29xklSDXSnqNTUQd6OiCFhtbbgAOwpMjrbH_za6PAPlCFiCZl3UXUAxXNKWnOT4FjJ6882n6ulCIJQawxuRMI4Al8BBQsTWLqJuTlSluan4Rs/s640/IMG_1318.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And my heart tore, was broken, and felt pulled out when she passed away 2.5 years ago. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Because-I was available to whatever Jesus had for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I MISS this. I don't even know how to get back there. Life is so different now and I so want my daughter to know her mother as one who was always serving and loving others. But I need Jesus to do any of this. And I miss Him. I miss Him more than I miss my time with my husband. This has been such a hard season, exacerbated by lack of sleep, but essentially driven by my lack of time to know God's heart for my life and for others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So pray for me friends. I need a refueling by my Maker. The only one who we can truly serve with our whole lives: and in giving him everything, we get a life to the n-th degree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am missing the "n-th." And I have known it-it is insanely beyond awesome.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Love, Anna N</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-33901225288858664212012-11-05T07:59:00.002-08:002012-11-05T07:59:57.189-08:00What faith really looks like.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So one of the most amazing ladies I have ever met had a baby last week. A little boy named Isaiah. She was 33 weeks along and he was born via scheduled c-section. And she goes in later this week for a 3rd brain surgery to fight her 3rd bout with brain cancer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is what love looks like. This is what I think is often missing in my life-the ability to live life out loud. To grab fear by the tail and whip it into outer space.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.christinaahmann.com/?page_id=1466">Here is part of her story</a>. She is a hero: a mother, a wife, a friend, a fighter, a daughter of the Most High. I am telling you-her faith is a life changer for so many people. I have sat next to her bed praying in tears with her amazing friends and family. She is what legacy's are made of.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Life big. Live out loud. Live faithfully.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9nea5DVj8VT4DtbgIYCxo-EDsV4Me9j9bENAQZIOswcfDkG7DY8Gay4cR9fEUixsohSbRojerjx3f0j5cGykau66zAYsCqftmJfYwNa1lOqS0vIwldxz8ycSH4EbqGOHAUDvpezimVs/s1600/tina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9nea5DVj8VT4DtbgIYCxo-EDsV4Me9j9bENAQZIOswcfDkG7DY8Gay4cR9fEUixsohSbRojerjx3f0j5cGykau66zAYsCqftmJfYwNa1lOqS0vIwldxz8ycSH4EbqGOHAUDvpezimVs/s640/tina.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-86865269965754781472012-10-30T21:28:00.002-07:002012-10-30T21:28:50.462-07:00To date our friends.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well. One of my bestest friends has met a delightful young chap (please disregard the potential British usage of language as I just finished watching Upstairs Downstairs). And, in order to date one of our friends, we must get to know you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Very well then. Dinner party it is.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We are so hopeful for what is to come and we pinch ourselves just to think that we get to be part of peoples' lives. It is all very well, very well indeed. We are blessed beyond measure to get to celebrate life with other people and to truly cherish the happenings that make life a story.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We love you, girl.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoadRVWt2VLMe6oABchUwVXov4rwwNFHEisY3e6VoIyGH_0KNNxgDR6WMJBRYMlryjt2uBc8bS7WqJ62DIcGnUV0AABWbxZQC1ObVcPTC9wAb0DhSULw4pDP8BjmJ8SWcZrl5TB3eeJUE/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoadRVWt2VLMe6oABchUwVXov4rwwNFHEisY3e6VoIyGH_0KNNxgDR6WMJBRYMlryjt2uBc8bS7WqJ62DIcGnUV0AABWbxZQC1ObVcPTC9wAb0DhSULw4pDP8BjmJ8SWcZrl5TB3eeJUE/s640/IMG_1428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bbsvzWX1sGwlmEwakgLiwp8q-_atTeJJWaJho3GSgSWE4Y28QQ4nujQ8y0Eh0euEWTR-ppVR0BSbemgowCVse5VsqXcZ0KsnvLOgXj4j6Sd3aSxQBIKAR24pPIy0emKEgQINnoz8cmw/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bbsvzWX1sGwlmEwakgLiwp8q-_atTeJJWaJho3GSgSWE4Y28QQ4nujQ8y0Eh0euEWTR-ppVR0BSbemgowCVse5VsqXcZ0KsnvLOgXj4j6Sd3aSxQBIKAR24pPIy0emKEgQINnoz8cmw/s640/IMG_1429.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoByU7v5IlLxYaLU2_P_-2gzIQha5dO54pyuJfSIAwe0FxnHzXFZSRICcZhWUSjzn6N0tI0WRLmRgaeIj00hHRfR2Q972lfhoOXCTd8PMunYGy0O3eKCu_0Eqbngf6vJPK3DjwFND3Ng/s1600/IMG_1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoByU7v5IlLxYaLU2_P_-2gzIQha5dO54pyuJfSIAwe0FxnHzXFZSRICcZhWUSjzn6N0tI0WRLmRgaeIj00hHRfR2Q972lfhoOXCTd8PMunYGy0O3eKCu_0Eqbngf6vJPK3DjwFND3Ng/s640/IMG_1434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Yes, Greg and Micah are that cool.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gg70rGM48DTz6F5i6YOS2u5Tad_pLD07GHiCLVTG9zFg-qPgw_O-0HoRnc4xA8Uoovdx3sZ7_4c4SY9wUCqCM99lCS-UlQlfuXJbgHsqF-qv9YjJtgDeFjaOW3N6Z5bqX1iJfrHG1E/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gg70rGM48DTz6F5i6YOS2u5Tad_pLD07GHiCLVTG9zFg-qPgw_O-0HoRnc4xA8Uoovdx3sZ7_4c4SY9wUCqCM99lCS-UlQlfuXJbgHsqF-qv9YjJtgDeFjaOW3N6Z5bqX1iJfrHG1E/s640/IMG_1437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQcZVx7UXB-nTLhjGisQILfDcEy1V4p9AXxoQi7cEYZLazlhk9D7ktPyJa5vGZBNSg_pBslbVnb3K9qomHrS2hX2NArkn-ZcwaKfZDXsxqpeiX4A67z8mF8IY4ypazb62O-dTeHBC2iU/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQcZVx7UXB-nTLhjGisQILfDcEy1V4p9AXxoQi7cEYZLazlhk9D7ktPyJa5vGZBNSg_pBslbVnb3K9qomHrS2hX2NArkn-ZcwaKfZDXsxqpeiX4A67z8mF8IY4ypazb62O-dTeHBC2iU/s640/IMG_1439.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-24263762094183386702012-10-25T12:23:00.000-07:002012-10-25T12:23:52.698-07:00To be love.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Oh the cost of <i>love</i>. It is beautiful but at its best and in its absolute most-inclusive definition, it is <i>sacrifice</i>. It is step-over-yourself, give yourself entirely, and then be willing to give a little bit more. It is Jesus. It is how as a mom I have the smallest glimpse into what it must have been for Him to say that we were all worth His death (even though he was blameless...alas, I am soooooooSOOOOO not).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's Jesus' last words on the cross, "'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said that, he breathed his last." Luke 23:46</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I have been awful at giving up every last ounce of myself like Jesus did. Especially without complaining. It is a struggle to everyday choose to put another above myself, even my very own daughter. I get impatient, upset (she is a very, very strong little girl), worn-out/exhausted, and yet I know that children are a joy from the LORD and He knows I am the best mother for her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It is still <i>hard</i>. Our little girl has had a cold for two weeks, then a fever started yesterday, she awoke screaming in the middle of the night with her body going into convulsions every five seconds, we rushed her to the ER, found out she was okay (just a body's response to fever), found out she had an ear infection (took her in Monday thinking she had one but it was yet to come), then got her home and back in bed at 4am. Oh, and I didn't mention she has been constipated for three weeks, which is now figured out, and she has gotten four teeth in the last three weeks :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And she is more than worth it. She is <i>worth</i> the end of myself (and my poor dear husband who gets up at 4:45 every morning). She is worth me being love-and the best, most holistic kind of love.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">She is my <i>agape</i>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The Greeks had it right when they had four words for love. We seem to think one word can define me loving a french fry and me loving our daughter. I think I side with the Greek language here. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Agape is the most powerful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It is the love that is selfless, unconditional and sacrificial.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It is Jesus. It is how we/I can be like him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So thank you God for creating our perfect little girl-giving me a chance to have the slightest glimpse into how you could offer yourself as a sacrifice for all of mankind. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">She delights our souls. She is a world-changer, I have that promise. She will bring love to thousands and my death is worth it if she only brought your love to one.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l7Kk865BdPd3rgd2SDuZjZzrhYdb0-P98x8D4EG9_JVDcNZBRtYKVZzL2l1dBtDrgX8vMK9T934dVK1bnEwQVjDlWyRNrCcaQJvxNlcGVhhsAGx2AgEOuoqMnPcXLDhlSyJ4vRKW_nw/s1600/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l7Kk865BdPd3rgd2SDuZjZzrhYdb0-P98x8D4EG9_JVDcNZBRtYKVZzL2l1dBtDrgX8vMK9T934dVK1bnEwQVjDlWyRNrCcaQJvxNlcGVhhsAGx2AgEOuoqMnPcXLDhlSyJ4vRKW_nw/s640/IMG_1095.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ69T7YmoAylGU-Y6_FIM8wi9-ljzuxJwNptYHO3KeONVpOxab981epzCPjS8CTQf90OIc5TQ-LA4oPHYM5sTubYwleMUlH1A8yYo9mlbOJSZGB2ew577j7LohpBaoM52nhaSFBtpBbmU/s1600/IMG_1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ69T7YmoAylGU-Y6_FIM8wi9-ljzuxJwNptYHO3KeONVpOxab981epzCPjS8CTQf90OIc5TQ-LA4oPHYM5sTubYwleMUlH1A8yYo9mlbOJSZGB2ew577j7LohpBaoM52nhaSFBtpBbmU/s640/IMG_1097.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-22216362261869369592012-10-16T20:18:00.002-07:002012-10-16T20:18:33.666-07:00Wee-fall is here!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Um...yeah. So I don't blog "well" so here are a 1.5 months of updates. Life has been beautiful and crazy. And I might have learned one of the most essential of all life lessons as well. Will write about it soon. Let's just say it has to do with joy and choosing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The Normans...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>1) </b>Went to the <b>coast</b>, twice. Once for a <b>church retreat</b> and once to celebrate my amazing <b>mother's 60th birthday.</b> (photos to come) It was 75 degrees...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>2) </b>Celebrated <b>Handsome's 36th birthday </b>with our first night away from our punkie bean as well as little soiree with awesome friends (complete with American Dream Pizza)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>3) </b>Went to <b>Washington DC</b> to visit Matt's amazing sister for 6 days*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>4)</b> One of my bestest of besties got <b>engaged</b> and they surprised me in DC (she lives in NYC) and I started crying. And her ring...wowsers, Pat. I mean it's soooo gorgeous. I told her it was like one of those rings you would see on the classiest 80 year old lady at airport and then hope you got to be the heir :) (Well I didn't tell her I would hope to be the heir but...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>5) </b>Had a<b> dinner party </b>to get-to-know another of my besties' new boyfriends. Did I mention I cried when I found out he officially asked to date her? Well I did. Another tear shed for love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>6) Dinners</b> with amazing friends (Cecils: we love you and are in awe of your family and your hearts). Morgan-you delight my soul</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About the crying thing: I LOVE my friends. They are salt of the earth sort of people and to be honest, I barely think anyone is worthy of them. Hallelujah many of them have met insanely awesome men and thus, I cry when I find out their good news.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">*And in case you are wondering how 7 hours on a plane with a baby was...here is my advice: 1) don't do it if you don't have to. 2) Try not to fly with a constipated baby (sooooo sad-we are ditching "real" food for now and sticking to what she loves, milk). 3) If you can, fly first class (for real. We had miles so we used those. Let's just say it left us desiring to always fly first with a baby. I don't think the fancy pants business people liked it as much). 4) Again, try not to. Of course Ruth doesn't like her car seat so road trips are out of the question for us for now but it is a great option.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here you go!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Gracie's Brunch. Ridic. If you live in Portland, you MUST go and get the bread pudding french toast. Yep. I couldn't stop smiling.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA5wIakqBfM1blCgA6x11zPu-QT1npiEDsXp6sj7Wl3Mcqedl2D8E_QN2IxEG77subq1Im_6FW0fO4ZVoD1UKNVzF_OwEMwGgzj9aPDqjG_J2DQGwkJmi0XrQowJIi8lBAMAGPOYTmz8/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA5wIakqBfM1blCgA6x11zPu-QT1npiEDsXp6sj7Wl3Mcqedl2D8E_QN2IxEG77subq1Im_6FW0fO4ZVoD1UKNVzF_OwEMwGgzj9aPDqjG_J2DQGwkJmi0XrQowJIi8lBAMAGPOYTmz8/s640/IMG_1129.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3Wu-WHI2mvQwIF10oq_O9lZkOQySpSr0PZbQvc_K1GiTiDiFPhkWCJnHTIy-Hfzfgk0scgeCKBl97M4-85TOg-u46hqhCCDsvtuLtHexqDYLlePslq5YsR5oZDAjRSktyDzl5qitFqo/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3Wu-WHI2mvQwIF10oq_O9lZkOQySpSr0PZbQvc_K1GiTiDiFPhkWCJnHTIy-Hfzfgk0scgeCKBl97M4-85TOg-u46hqhCCDsvtuLtHexqDYLlePslq5YsR5oZDAjRSktyDzl5qitFqo/s640/IMG_1131.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Us returning home :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FMmNqwOXqp_KBBuUS4e_7nJATb5ek9xUnUS-MZPuSc0bXpCk2sstuz0zC6-rMYseZNJvYnvKjfJ6Fax8aCF4d_B0D1foNtLhamUAHIxt8Gt9EppTU-MGPN4u7tl2R8jtXayiJN-H_7A/s1600/IMG_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FMmNqwOXqp_KBBuUS4e_7nJATb5ek9xUnUS-MZPuSc0bXpCk2sstuz0zC6-rMYseZNJvYnvKjfJ6Fax8aCF4d_B0D1foNtLhamUAHIxt8Gt9EppTU-MGPN4u7tl2R8jtXayiJN-H_7A/s640/IMG_1135.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">She was rubbing her top teeth against her bottom and her faces because of it were epic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdtgQdSGxa63y6ZJ47S0uRWXeEmD9LN76U1SbzYQ7mhujAxgKfImVgFhAs8uteBG3KO-NrCnVNCQelvRUfUo4xYPVqPtrooL53n-D17qLDUhATp9H6P4nmZuiNSWf721YhpylPy4JUIM/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdtgQdSGxa63y6ZJ47S0uRWXeEmD9LN76U1SbzYQ7mhujAxgKfImVgFhAs8uteBG3KO-NrCnVNCQelvRUfUo4xYPVqPtrooL53n-D17qLDUhATp9H6P4nmZuiNSWf721YhpylPy4JUIM/s640/IMG_1136.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Matt's birthday at home with my hottie girlfriends.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE8tCJ4kQlNJM6LFcp0WDwVLPRMvRAvDi707nAAb78p5jc515CKUHl0kkUEgsrgKERuh1Etq2JYGK5MirWAHXqiPFn-ZjSk9ZYreY5vjZWWRJc85UPekei-fuJILAZJwHguquZVKCir4/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE8tCJ4kQlNJM6LFcp0WDwVLPRMvRAvDi707nAAb78p5jc515CKUHl0kkUEgsrgKERuh1Etq2JYGK5MirWAHXqiPFn-ZjSk9ZYreY5vjZWWRJc85UPekei-fuJILAZJwHguquZVKCir4/s640/IMG_1149.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And the handsome boys (and a dancing Alomae) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyofH7CLEfQOFpfH0r5fbwCqfK3pPDELigFIEcm0YFWL2IJ1rmGE9q71A_tti2krgSJi_qsJ0KHPqnqXvTCBghGMNXqC9WF_4ZusJpikD61Q6MbVNOo2N9yxVAC_NfQKC-U4hXOZNcQA/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyofH7CLEfQOFpfH0r5fbwCqfK3pPDELigFIEcm0YFWL2IJ1rmGE9q71A_tti2krgSJi_qsJ0KHPqnqXvTCBghGMNXqC9WF_4ZusJpikD61Q6MbVNOo2N9yxVAC_NfQKC-U4hXOZNcQA/s640/IMG_1152.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dinner with the incredible Cecils (Emma is Ruth's bestie)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXyvncUE8vlvQa0rLyH0q3_2m1ZuVRonZeiSemR0i7SO_4TjdQ17BPZHTr6EZcinuULy5k4ipXEI9SttpcYDPBMIlnVjXf_K8agmJOPdzbh-Bj9x0uQ3CzrX-aIC7tw-BAeHWar4PR80/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXyvncUE8vlvQa0rLyH0q3_2m1ZuVRonZeiSemR0i7SO_4TjdQ17BPZHTr6EZcinuULy5k4ipXEI9SttpcYDPBMIlnVjXf_K8agmJOPdzbh-Bj9x0uQ3CzrX-aIC7tw-BAeHWar4PR80/s640/IMG_1159.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">DC first lunch with Aunt Kate! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrR6hebLOso0EokaavTS-2nHUgL0Iwp8l9nCWelC4xaa9rgVQ4mqIyM_0BERvP0Sa6KT6J5gwThiRfj1p-EjpJxArMn-FMNCQVY52ZeYOLvvTpUYmge0DKOpYdhOPBGlCX8UcB0sSz-0/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrR6hebLOso0EokaavTS-2nHUgL0Iwp8l9nCWelC4xaa9rgVQ4mqIyM_0BERvP0Sa6KT6J5gwThiRfj1p-EjpJxArMn-FMNCQVY52ZeYOLvvTpUYmge0DKOpYdhOPBGlCX8UcB0sSz-0/s640/IMG_1177.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Natural History Museum. I barely stopped smiling here to..you'll see why below.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95KTJWCjVTmsOJF21yVWWCd15DZYPf1dTx-Lj65UiXTu_oFSOL457_l2jfvD1nfUnwniR5p5SjggNEJRDi4adcYg5MTOKoYRHDucgUwX2e7FjkJm8DE2QGUkzHjAW-KVGxrva2mnNHHY/s1600/IMG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95KTJWCjVTmsOJF21yVWWCd15DZYPf1dTx-Lj65UiXTu_oFSOL457_l2jfvD1nfUnwniR5p5SjggNEJRDi4adcYg5MTOKoYRHDucgUwX2e7FjkJm8DE2QGUkzHjAW-KVGxrva2mnNHHY/s640/IMG_1195.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's a fox, like daddy's tattoo! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyOcMCO0Q9OjylnoN1t-Ou1WUrpf0Y9SAgMyXGbfhKzAFRlXZTJSDbLr_o_UVJCpdDLGpLdku-2lGntqfFv4V_8aSRxZrhyIHF_rLj1q4-m6S64-U72MJfXRTP7fGq4Jf7vo-VF6VKk0/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyOcMCO0Q9OjylnoN1t-Ou1WUrpf0Y9SAgMyXGbfhKzAFRlXZTJSDbLr_o_UVJCpdDLGpLdku-2lGntqfFv4V_8aSRxZrhyIHF_rLj1q4-m6S64-U72MJfXRTP7fGq4Jf7vo-VF6VKk0/s640/IMG_1205.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here's why! YOu could hold bugs! I LOVE bugs! And you could hang out with hundreds of butterflies!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFhMVOSJOdGWdPqaNlihzTZeqjcxNtwtjBhva6jNZ7oACsrQ78BQspYVjnUClQtVc92HyboGQqdc4b-FGr2nxIMzBLxFm0Ei1DmGmvk7Wyx6KqM_JPG0HIOhphFcwrXa-OTCOEQpwRVY/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFhMVOSJOdGWdPqaNlihzTZeqjcxNtwtjBhva6jNZ7oACsrQ78BQspYVjnUClQtVc92HyboGQqdc4b-FGr2nxIMzBLxFm0Ei1DmGmvk7Wyx6KqM_JPG0HIOhphFcwrXa-OTCOEQpwRVY/s640/IMG_1211.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And this my dear friends, is a madagascar hissing cockroach. Yeah! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvQHpMngDj01Lk69uc_EYzLo1iVL2XDQrCHF34noJqevoyBU6BIMV-AEaVMWN1bBwqn2JjUC9bd0exr2D3pT09loLJeiB7g1Lqi111zydUwW1bzLCMB9UJrGp0Q9QncfC7ADJLa2cffs/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvQHpMngDj01Lk69uc_EYzLo1iVL2XDQrCHF34noJqevoyBU6BIMV-AEaVMWN1bBwqn2JjUC9bd0exr2D3pT09loLJeiB7g1Lqi111zydUwW1bzLCMB9UJrGp0Q9QncfC7ADJLa2cffs/s640/IMG_1213.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2iqGTTNl-NWFIlTCSzb2yZlJ4hqFkYWfS51CN9P5UuvatMqOC0IbEZuPmMI5QbM_aXWPLfJ5OHeGEX0JzJVqWxw2GOmSFkgZEZejRMWQqpDrwzcGqe75_JdfvWNzsIRbKG_k8S6vd-A/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2iqGTTNl-NWFIlTCSzb2yZlJ4hqFkYWfS51CN9P5UuvatMqOC0IbEZuPmMI5QbM_aXWPLfJ5OHeGEX0JzJVqWxw2GOmSFkgZEZejRMWQqpDrwzcGqe75_JdfvWNzsIRbKG_k8S6vd-A/s640/IMG_1225.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pure joy. Hopefully you saw our instagram pic of Ruthie flying </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtz2jTedahlgG6b7RgwAutVSMDGs_sTcC6m0TkIejpfatnoi-s183C9iHK6ZAPAR5TpykF50W8uRV4jNd7jxyADQmOob9jfPaLWz8cxCT-_dQd9vMCj7YiGpqaqJbQ468eWdSQdmJDx8/s1600/IMG_1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtz2jTedahlgG6b7RgwAutVSMDGs_sTcC6m0TkIejpfatnoi-s183C9iHK6ZAPAR5TpykF50W8uRV4jNd7jxyADQmOob9jfPaLWz8cxCT-_dQd9vMCj7YiGpqaqJbQ468eWdSQdmJDx8/s640/IMG_1259.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I asked how much it would cost to get married in here on my 8th grade trip: it was $25000 then (without anything but the space)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIHG0mjOWTaxZPkTSd1n0NGkgaeUfXEjvygRk9pdMltBv4Axcuoj1uqlEdX2m9Ed9Q4NNTFdfL4njatE1vgioebajY29fECoSTVp0qv9jin4ZtYbpPVobIvczxjkKYvuKsAuyILXHARY/s1600/IMG_1287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIHG0mjOWTaxZPkTSd1n0NGkgaeUfXEjvygRk9pdMltBv4Axcuoj1uqlEdX2m9Ed9Q4NNTFdfL4njatE1vgioebajY29fECoSTVp0qv9jin4ZtYbpPVobIvczxjkKYvuKsAuyILXHARY/s640/IMG_1287.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The engaged beauty!!! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_hwzZXORG6n4HuL6x4EzSvUNsU9siTYxPMLuc3dvWGILJNneTN588P-sBT8wI5nMjOPLq9i_aVVIlPHu5odsc95UnyzAng3KPvlULluuPui3U-v_P-HCDPifBcQC-u83A5m4qbskaEE/s1600/IMG_1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_hwzZXORG6n4HuL6x4EzSvUNsU9siTYxPMLuc3dvWGILJNneTN588P-sBT8wI5nMjOPLq9i_aVVIlPHu5odsc95UnyzAng3KPvlULluuPui3U-v_P-HCDPifBcQC-u83A5m4qbskaEE/s640/IMG_1301.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe5rOv-6gmQfPnv-gRtuHT2O57FZOYt1HS6zbVaTsMXse50-Xk8mOHbKHDkNFuQxaGtIEovxV25CJYwvcF53yQ7_AkQHx0yVWNuV3ORooxt-vFH-QbgTi3VH0rjcDK5JdiavFGt5AOFM/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe5rOv-6gmQfPnv-gRtuHT2O57FZOYt1HS6zbVaTsMXse50-Xk8mOHbKHDkNFuQxaGtIEovxV25CJYwvcF53yQ7_AkQHx0yVWNuV3ORooxt-vFH-QbgTi3VH0rjcDK5JdiavFGt5AOFM/s640/IMG_1313.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Highly recommend the Bike the Sites tours! Ruthie might not...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQPF2HN1SKtAmtK47bciZesQ59QfjfatyKQcwL3DiJvVViE8MtCLmYsElr3W-h7imQpLo2NNoy22DZ7ZPdOeoGFg3Gai-ZV7_91OB2RtzxshxR2924C9YK7gOLouyzzagytIG35LoZsA/s1600/IMG_1316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQPF2HN1SKtAmtK47bciZesQ59QfjfatyKQcwL3DiJvVViE8MtCLmYsElr3W-h7imQpLo2NNoy22DZ7ZPdOeoGFg3Gai-ZV7_91OB2RtzxshxR2924C9YK7gOLouyzzagytIG35LoZsA/s640/IMG_1316.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce9gg4_NyqPymUYS766CTzJmfmLxBpbzXeRUjmZyap0yzWxX-5Zwfvvc672Y5rmg9z0sAUsaZ6_UwOODZmJ9ZY0nhx6lewx9DU1lml-2lfdjMaB__7_HxsE_Z91QUNx0wIxt_xvEqefk/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce9gg4_NyqPymUYS766CTzJmfmLxBpbzXeRUjmZyap0yzWxX-5Zwfvvc672Y5rmg9z0sAUsaZ6_UwOODZmJ9ZY0nhx6lewx9DU1lml-2lfdjMaB__7_HxsE_Z91QUNx0wIxt_xvEqefk/s640/IMG_1330.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Future Uncle Pat! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhON1P1FHsXj2-ptu5IIrW9boC4U2-Vg9g_3qyRaRelakzI_f7bWhPbdJgbMUPOL7CDkrzYXtuynr9FLJPaA49IH35TkofIuH_IM1C8g9iszRdfd47N1ILFZCiZFrEYQ9zIbvpX6a3fM/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhON1P1FHsXj2-ptu5IIrW9boC4U2-Vg9g_3qyRaRelakzI_f7bWhPbdJgbMUPOL7CDkrzYXtuynr9FLJPaA49IH35TkofIuH_IM1C8g9iszRdfd47N1ILFZCiZFrEYQ9zIbvpX6a3fM/s640/IMG_1358.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB_9w8bk3EjLbMsJRwsViS7X5aoKf_G0vL07bDZ2k8hsdCiYuWUYgwt5w5mxU6Jj_ud3sXMKWIewrkpjindlU7S3kVhlJvbI1EYOysHcnvGiU8AWjBJJzagIzSZ9DeVkCdv6pdRl9q2A/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB_9w8bk3EjLbMsJRwsViS7X5aoKf_G0vL07bDZ2k8hsdCiYuWUYgwt5w5mxU6Jj_ud3sXMKWIewrkpjindlU7S3kVhlJvbI1EYOysHcnvGiU8AWjBJJzagIzSZ9DeVkCdv6pdRl9q2A/s640/IMG_1359.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8aktHRFlqI-UT1r-UAOrz1Kl6CJu6rEkgdk0U__xJ0hGYRpgdprupC4gdXfCPceT3zCPb36idO5tgW6nlv0yn3jMWIDKWWiLxSKvJHp5QIMVvDSHTeMcNP56hyphenhyphenPTuWESSzL3pc9HXuc/s1600/IMG_1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8aktHRFlqI-UT1r-UAOrz1Kl6CJu6rEkgdk0U__xJ0hGYRpgdprupC4gdXfCPceT3zCPb36idO5tgW6nlv0yn3jMWIDKWWiLxSKvJHp5QIMVvDSHTeMcNP56hyphenhyphenPTuWESSzL3pc9HXuc/s640/IMG_1361.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh562ZCIC4eNpFt7pfrW9tRw9r4Z_R6hfaP8eGpbWR885Jt_4A2n6SMD0wrxYbHImLUBsX-c9aJI-d6QlQk2ELwlvrpEigNO01-BTLLPQvIZZF-Leas7pll-OW8tBjw3V_p4aI1PGg-GS0/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh562ZCIC4eNpFt7pfrW9tRw9r4Z_R6hfaP8eGpbWR885Jt_4A2n6SMD0wrxYbHImLUBsX-c9aJI-d6QlQk2ELwlvrpEigNO01-BTLLPQvIZZF-Leas7pll-OW8tBjw3V_p4aI1PGg-GS0/s640/IMG_1373.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo, Anna N</div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-45011053196453258072012-09-18T16:29:00.000-07:002012-09-18T16:30:40.417-07:00Love Letter to the Ladies<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dear lovelies:</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is my love letter to all of you. I want and know in my heart that some of you need to hear part of my story. It is not one of tragedy by any stretch but it is laced with choices that were not wise and were compounded with an insatiable desire to be known.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If you are woman, you know what I am talking about.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>We all want to be known.</b> And sadly, nearly all of us at one point were/are willing to do just about anything to be known, if even being "known"is only for a few minutes, hours, days, etc. I had that desire from the time I was about 17 to about 27-a decade of my life filled with my soul on the altar of being desired.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Some of my dearest friends know some of my stories. I won't go into a ton of detail but let's just say there were many nights where I don't remember how I got to where I was, many mornings where I didn't know who I had hung out with the night before, <b>YEARS of staring at my phone/computer </b>waiting for one person or another to call/text/etc/acknowledge me, times of driving under the influence that I don't even remember, etc.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was telling one of my amazing girlfriends some of these stories. She has a crazy story and a ton of brokenness from her father and her life growing up. We were talking about how I felt like I had a <b>hedge of protection</b> around me for all those years. Because, the interesting thing about my story is: that I somehow remained a virgin until I was married (any of my friends who were with me during this period of time would say aside from the mighty hand of God that would've been impossible-I mean IMPOSSIBLE), never got arrested, never got pursued by the men that I wanted to be pursued by (until my husband), and literally made it through ten straining years somewhat unscathed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This same girlfriend recently went through a crazy experience where someone she knew ended up taking their own life and all of this stuff came out after (laden with nothing good: I mean affairs, multiple partners within two marriages, affairs with men/women, etc). She could never figure out why this one particular guy would never really pursue her, especially physically. He pursued everyone else and seemed to always keep her at arms distance in a quite respectful way. And trust me, this friend of mine is drop-dead-gorgeous and she could literally get asked out ten times a day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was after she was telling me this whilst sitting on my couch that she with tears said, "<b>I know now exactly what you were talking about when you said there was a hedge of protection around you. Could you have imagined my life if I would've gotten involved with him</b>?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So please-I write you because I don't want <b>ANY of you to pine after someone/something that God did not intend for you</b>. It will destroy you in many instances and you will be left striving for your value not from your Maker but from another broken person. You will forget, quite easily, that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Satan tends to be an expert at telling lies regarding such.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Stop waiting for that boy to text or call. Stop trying to get drunk just to get the nerves to act a little bit "looser" so maybe more boys will pay attention. Stop saying to yourself, "if just this guy liked me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I did all of this. This is from my heart.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And start living. Pick up a Bible and learn who Jesus is and why you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Volunteer. A lot (one of the best seasons of my life). Serve others. Really start thinking about the purpose for this life and realize in that, who God made you to be and how much you are cherished.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And don't be me in the "lost" decade. God had SO MUCH GRACE on me and not only did I get an amazing husband, I also got a beautiful daughter who's soul just delights anyone around her. My heart also can now soar because, "<b>she who has been forgiven much, loves much.</b>" And because I know that grace was poured out on me, it helps me to realize the beauty of what can be and what often really is all around us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So again, please don't use alcohol to lose yourself (because yourself is pretty awesome), please don't throw yourself at boys because I promise you...only ONE is worth your heart and I doubt it is the same one you will throw yourself at, and please, don't have a lost decade like I did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love you. I really do. And if you are local-I like coffee dates and hearing peoples' stories. My schedule is just a little cray-cray these days :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Love, Anna N</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Oh, and here is a post from awhile ago on "<a href="http://sotrulylovely.blogspot.com/2011/12/beautiful-life.html">waiting</a>."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3122950968204857718.post-77030248568520697582012-09-11T10:22:00.001-07:002012-09-11T10:22:10.864-07:00Convicting.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I recently saw a note from a little girl to her mother that she wrote hoping her mom would happen to read it. It will break your heart.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It said: <i>"Mom, in case you happen to read this. Please stop being angry. Please tell dad why you are mad. Please do it for our family."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In her own little handwriting on her own little pink notebook. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I know I can be like this sometimes. Wanting only my will and my way and it costing the spirit of my husband and my daughter. I really dislike that part of myself. With a passion. I am currently reading through Romans in my Bible and it speaks so much of the flesh and how its desires our purely selfish and not like Jesus at all. Oh. Do. I. Know. That. Truth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Please fight for your families. Pick up a Bible and learn about Jesus and how to be more like Him. He really is exceptionally counter-cultural and thus insanely breathtaking and captivating. He is not only my Savior and the one who spoke redemption over my life but also the one who I know can help me to step away from myself and deeply desire to serve others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Because people are worth it. They are worth us serving them and putting ourselves last. I so hope we can raise Ruth to let other people go in front of her at the grocery store, to be one to get out of her seat when an elderly person/pregnant lady/etc is around, to be one to open the doors, to be one to let others get in front of her on the freeway and then to kindly wave, to genuinely ask "How are you?"..., to bake cookies for others and learn to make meals simply to use it as an instrument to serve. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We love you little dollie and I apologize if/when my heart is for me and not for our family and for your father and for our Jesus. May you reflect your Maker and hopefully, more often than not, that will mean you reflect your momma. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Love, Someone desperately in need of Grace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAXEoYbM4B9SQqqkJLcqf7Cpp4zYg3pJCtRNruIPHqcZHIGLaixVWrczXoKrild_ztliYCKfgjYUz9qKarLG3idMhjzHTtUs-Co80lMv5EwEWN3rKx3cOzJTOXvuc937CHx7gAGKc93k/s1600/IMG_2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAXEoYbM4B9SQqqkJLcqf7Cpp4zYg3pJCtRNruIPHqcZHIGLaixVWrczXoKrild_ztliYCKfgjYUz9qKarLG3idMhjzHTtUs-Co80lMv5EwEWN3rKx3cOzJTOXvuc937CHx7gAGKc93k/s640/IMG_2031.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">PS: In case you wonder where the pics of our little family are...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">they are on instagram: sotrulylovely</span></div>
So Truly Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300293237140967932noreply@blogger.com5