tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90613451508680535842024-02-07T20:29:06.707-05:00Saved by Grace... Maintained by CoffeeTaylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-84460709164952326652015-08-04T22:18:00.001-04:002015-08-04T22:18:19.876-04:00NYC/DC Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
We're on day 4 now of our tour de DC/NYC. Day 1,2&3 are <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2015/08/nycdc-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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We woke up the morning of day 4 and hit a fine local breakfast spot called Dunkin Doughnuts. That's right my friends, I went outside of my comfort zone, Starbucks, for the inferior DD. My sister kept pointing out cutesy, local breakfast eateries and I'm all like, "Do they have pink sprinkle doughnuts?" Like I said... not a diet conscious trip. We took our breakfast pastries and <strike>sugar water </strike>coffee to go and ate them underground in the subway tunnel. Clearly, one of my finer mom moments.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killin' that blueberry muffin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink sprinkle doughnut.... a boy after my own heart</td></tr>
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While riding the subway, Parker wanted to try holding onto a pole instead of sitting. I reminded him not to let his head whack the pole so he rode like this:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We fit right in. No one could tell we were tourist.</td></tr>
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We rode the subway back to Central Park where it was our quest to find the Belvedere Castle and carousel... which not a single person who works in Central Park seems to know of it's existence. The walk to the castle was beautiful! Shakespeare's garden surrounds it which makes for pretty pictures (even if they choose some strange posses)!</div>
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The castle itself is tiny but the views are breathtaking! I high recommend the quick walk up the narrow stairwells for the views of the amphitheater, duck ponds, ball fields and NYC skyline!</div>
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Before we went to NYC, I asked each kid what they wanted to do. Parker wanted to see Iron Man and Spiderman which we checked off on day 3. Avery wanted to ride the carousel so that was today's mission. After a few mile walk and being misdirected like 5 times, we found it... and Avery cried because the horses are all boy horses (red, green & blue) but dammit, we were riding the carousel. It's OLD and beautiful and plays the quirkiest carousel music. We soaked up the quaintness of the experience despite a little toddler drama. It turned out to be one of the funniest parts of the trip. We've all experienced the built up of a dream only for reality to not meet our expectations....this was the 4 year old girl version of that! #toddlerproblems I didn't even take a picture because in the moment I was all like "YOU WILL LIKE THIS! GET ON THE HORSE AND SMILE!"</div>
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After the carousel, we went potty, along with every other woman in the park. 45 minutes later, we had all relieved our bladders and acquired some new body art. SMART entrepreneurs had set up face painting stations by the potty line and they were making BANK entertaining potty dancing kids.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron man.... shocking, I know.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Unicorn</td></tr>
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We played in the playground for a while before heading to Starbucks for some fuel! We weaved our way around the Puerto Rican pride parade to Rockafella Center. The LEGO store was a big hit! I always enjoy seeing the news stations. What up Hoda and KLG?</div>
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At this point, the city was becoming overwhelming and the Puerto Ricans were being super super loud in their adoration of their nation so we retreated to Brooklyn for some downtime. On the way there, a passerby gave Avery a "selfie reflector," as in, a small reflective disk to reflect good lighting to your face for a selfie. Who knew there was such a product?! Well, she thought it was a frisbee and tossed it in the middle of a busy intersection. When Kelly and I refused to retrieve her selfie reflector we ended up with a sad unicorn. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unicorn Tears</td></tr>
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That night, Kelly made us dinner...</div>
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... and then we called for Thai food take out. The kids were WIPED. We packed a bunch of NYC into 2 1/2 days!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using Avery's face as a pillow</td></tr>
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Once again, I was too verbose in my recap so now there will be a part 3 to recap our mini tour of DC and NYC with little kids tips. My kids still talk about this trip daily! We read our "NYC/DC road trip" Shutterfly book almost every night before bed. I'm so thankful to have had these precious memories with the kids and my sister!</div>
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As for "what I'm listening to"... my kids are obsessed with the website <a href="http://www.worshiphousekids.com/" target="_blank">worship house kids</a>. I think it's meant for churches to buy the videos and songs for kid's ministry but you can view them all from this website for free. Their favorites are "Super Wonderful" and "My God is Number One." They've been on repeat lately. There isn't a sweeter sound than hearing your children worship!</div>
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The videos are animated on the worship house kids website but here's the best I could find on YouTube. If you like the popular song "Oceans" by Hillsong, Yancy did a kid's version! Enjoy!</div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-43551733999219004542015-08-02T19:13:00.000-04:002015-08-02T19:13:01.106-04:00NYC/DC Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
As promised... back today with a fun summer update. </div>
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Daniel had to spend 10 days in Germany for work so the kids and I loaded up in the swagger wagon and headed north. Our 1st stop was a quick layover in Washington DC to see Beth and break up the drive. Beth is a good friend from college who just moved into the CUTEST apartment in Alexandria, VA. The kids thought it was fabulous. Beth was a saint to sleep on the couch while the 3 of us took over her bed... and bathroom thanks to a stomach bug Avery couldn't seem to shake. Let's just say Avery reverted to pull ups for this trip since public NYC bathrooms are few and far between. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strollin' Alexandra, VA in the stroller I purchased specifically for this trip! PSA- Don't sell your stroller until you're really really sure you'll never use it again! That said, this Baby Jogger City Mini Double was awesome and super easy to use in NYC! I couldn't have done this trip without it!. </td></tr>
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We loved walking around Alexandria but my favorite part (other than Beth's company) was dinner at Austin Grill where I consumed a burrito the size of a small child along with beefy cheese dip and one of the world's best margaritas. Obviously, I was very diet conscious this trip. </div>
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The next morning, we continued our journey to NYC. We got a bit of a later start than I intended so that put us in the middle of Manhattan at 4pm on a Friday. Driving a minivan through Manhattan at 4pm on a Friday could be a blog post in and of itself but let's just say it took an hour to drive what my GPS said would take 12 minutes and ended with wine when I arrived. I have to say, I was really proud of myself (and the kids!) for making the trip. I'd do it again but I think next time I'm going to try the DC to NYC train! </div>
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After Kelly (my sister) got home and my hands regained feeling and blood flow, we walked to dinner at an authentic NYC pizza shop. It was a hit!</div>
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That night, we needed to run some wiggles out so we met Kelly's "special friend" Zack for ice cream and a stroll to a park in Brooklyn. The kids loved seeing the city from Kelly's rooftop at sunset. Parker was on the look out for superheroes and bad guys the entire 4 days we were in NYC. </div>
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The next morning, we were up and out by 9am. The kids insisted that I pack their costumes so they could fight bad guys. Their basis of knowledge of NYC comes from Spiderman and Avenger books so understandably so, they expected to need to fight some crime. Much to their dismay, everyone we met was wonderfully nice except for the 40+ ladies in the line for the bathroom in Central Park. I could have really used a superhero then! </div>
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One of the things they were MOST excited to do was ride the subway. It was a hit! The kids loved the whole subway experience, homeless people, jazz musicians, turnstiles and all. I did NOT share their enthusiasm for the stinky crowds and lack of windows/natural light but I definitely enjoyed watching them have fun!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj0htsXintgH4FW7fNz1Nb9r9r_WrrsYXxMA7eXG07b6gBiPvLXAdvvMllMRkk5JJeotxQpYCOrNDt2ZgdUvdJ0sgU2ksDqfAoWe7K2_95HEqJBGY_eJgguSnF-1zUqbd8KI7NbLQtxEX/s1600/parker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj0htsXintgH4FW7fNz1Nb9r9r_WrrsYXxMA7eXG07b6gBiPvLXAdvvMllMRkk5JJeotxQpYCOrNDt2ZgdUvdJ0sgU2ksDqfAoWe7K2_95HEqJBGY_eJgguSnF-1zUqbd8KI7NbLQtxEX/s320/parker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part about this picture is that no one cared that my kids were in costume. Most people didn't look twice. Gotta love New Yorkers. Not much phases them. </td></tr>
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We went to FAO Schwartz before it closed in July. This was so cool for me because it's always fun making memories with your own kids that your parents made with you. Once the temp hit in the 90's, I took the kids superhero costumes off and promised them if I saw a super villain, I'd put them back on.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady photo bombed EVERY ONE of my FAO Schwartz pictures with the iconic Toy Soldiers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXYfsfPsAmiFuiR1E6i65kfEND_zTJcXiv5TA1TEbtUNdg9l9q_F4TVSFkQwRy98c88i8325BRXJSmW5V_wvWVFBxUvp9vqiM9vYqqwX6M1pmPGgIydQzsBGQeZVACnBSa1EdYNLfXZ0U/s1600/IMG_20150613_044111164_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXYfsfPsAmiFuiR1E6i65kfEND_zTJcXiv5TA1TEbtUNdg9l9q_F4TVSFkQwRy98c88i8325BRXJSmW5V_wvWVFBxUvp9vqiM9vYqqwX6M1pmPGgIydQzsBGQeZVACnBSa1EdYNLfXZ0U/s320/IMG_20150613_044111164_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery loved the "BIG" piano!</td></tr>
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Parker's dreams came true when he got to meet Iron Man. $28 later, we are the proud owners of these photos. At this point, I was unaware you can take pictures with every character under the sun at Times Square for a $3 donation.</div>
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We left FAO Schwartz with a $28 photo, $5 kitty in a purse and Kelly on the verge of an anxiety attack. Central Park was our next stop. We enjoyed the Central Park Zoo, lunch on Shepard's Field, hours at the play grounds, consuming street hot dogs and riding the carousel. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids loved these tall, steep, metal slides. Screw safety.... these were a blast once you got past the initial rump roast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceON29OXr32YL4JlLxyt0irVZUXtZJYC0X54W6xurD2lf1pp-pKSw0wSpHFx9Ku8Cn4VfcbLkJv-t0qk8-iwWI67WTcagz000qj0GOu8r-kZgaVuadTm_nPaWThJyP1gP18Jt7L5sy0ui/s1600/IMG_5164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceON29OXr32YL4JlLxyt0irVZUXtZJYC0X54W6xurD2lf1pp-pKSw0wSpHFx9Ku8Cn4VfcbLkJv-t0qk8-iwWI67WTcagz000qj0GOu8r-kZgaVuadTm_nPaWThJyP1gP18Jt7L5sy0ui/s320/IMG_5164.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playground Fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU_p-qm4ghzjfDnMDc_WJCznM3e3RX9HEzA9ux3LIQST_p_S3SvjEeQnhE_L0YM71Ho2kzBHhiFxgMgbQxw17qS8XFzX86aHvuZR0aV7fjLnt6HAYAzMtk-Lu1v1qwXBW0x2bjfFb-U-P/s1600/IMG_20150613_065222667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU_p-qm4ghzjfDnMDc_WJCznM3e3RX9HEzA9ux3LIQST_p_S3SvjEeQnhE_L0YM71Ho2kzBHhiFxgMgbQxw17qS8XFzX86aHvuZR0aV7fjLnt6HAYAzMtk-Lu1v1qwXBW0x2bjfFb-U-P/s320/IMG_20150613_065222667.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petting Zoo in Central Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery took petting a little far and began hugging the animals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They both loved this "spider web" in the Central Park Zoo</td></tr>
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After spending hours of fun in Central Park, we made a Starbucks stop then headed to Times Square. Parker immediately knew where he was based on Spiderman books! Avery napped on the stroller ride from Central Park to Times Square and woke up just in time for a photo op with Olaf!</div>
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Parker was SO SO excited to see all the superheroes in one place. He kept running to me asking for $3 to give (insert superhero). He's already requested I frame these photos for his room. They've become a prized possession.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1NFIwZ-RIHSLMoaKqLPU05W_VjGYiDTJvux6_SsEh6SDGOlmQj25GQBH3nxp4qMDxgr6mdhiKR-sX0V_B7hoewzY1Fcpx9XCQJ13uAId8oTp6E61FfG9IRrTPyLX1rpqI2Xv-so80k1C/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1NFIwZ-RIHSLMoaKqLPU05W_VjGYiDTJvux6_SsEh6SDGOlmQj25GQBH3nxp4qMDxgr6mdhiKR-sX0V_B7hoewzY1Fcpx9XCQJ13uAId8oTp6E61FfG9IRrTPyLX1rpqI2Xv-so80k1C/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yHN8Aa2DiZY7q6bF5e_KGLyuIy4T_Kqqc0_otV63EguiJ08HsL2JT1giqCdFe5UGnTCiXtmRjBhzVNt4IRzZr_dY09ocW3O8estXPNLbruqrcro13anC9doippZ59vhmd-3bzmdTTOoa/s1600/IMG_5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yHN8Aa2DiZY7q6bF5e_KGLyuIy4T_Kqqc0_otV63EguiJ08HsL2JT1giqCdFe5UGnTCiXtmRjBhzVNt4IRzZr_dY09ocW3O8estXPNLbruqrcro13anC9doippZ59vhmd-3bzmdTTOoa/s320/IMG_5197.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Man Mark 42</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGJFKngO8glmF_fvBfD5bpX3cSEsKBN99A-A_NhNwCs1QbSgkN3JFH9L9Ou04u4wpec1BwxMElhN0X19JOhNEAdclBHLLuIAUvzN22OC25pnmQzNWlmVCIGzs74ZLjnqiTkr_Q0FDCJQ8/s1600/IMG_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGJFKngO8glmF_fvBfD5bpX3cSEsKBN99A-A_NhNwCs1QbSgkN3JFH9L9Ou04u4wpec1BwxMElhN0X19JOhNEAdclBHLLuIAUvzN22OC25pnmQzNWlmVCIGzs74ZLjnqiTkr_Q0FDCJQ8/s320/IMG_5202.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Man and Iron Patriot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtLP8Lo3JwaJcuA0kGx8rNH27RBzOh0YqPWipY7qrAQp6RZJl5wbsEQEXmOXy3KLWbi9mhXQgC6HuB79m0oyk5ZOdQDqdDj8JcF64-bJgCEQuCjUdsMAQLhkOZm9ZFuxPGQssUu3yiZGW/s1600/IMG_20150613_093202268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtLP8Lo3JwaJcuA0kGx8rNH27RBzOh0YqPWipY7qrAQp6RZJl5wbsEQEXmOXy3KLWbi9mhXQgC6HuB79m0oyk5ZOdQDqdDj8JcF64-bJgCEQuCjUdsMAQLhkOZm9ZFuxPGQssUu3yiZGW/s320/IMG_20150613_093202268.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
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After Times Square, we grabbed a street pretzel before walking the streets and soaking in the city. Eventually, we hopped on the subway and headed back to Brooklyn for a quick rest before heading back out to walk the East River area. Brooklyn also has some beautiful parks and riverfront views! If you visit NYC, make sure to pop over the river! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtn7giiHzA6t5rBkehzzcj8lfI0B7B_DpQo-NZRd9rtRroT8eG0vca9_2Vai-pUBwpx_qAj4DRnSPtYu34k-5NMlsyXN16GfrmeJ0SmarAzhnXMuGzfiMMeszWSHNNDqmeo3jrQFkv8uf/s1600/IMG_20150613_101002681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtn7giiHzA6t5rBkehzzcj8lfI0B7B_DpQo-NZRd9rtRroT8eG0vca9_2Vai-pUBwpx_qAj4DRnSPtYu34k-5NMlsyXN16GfrmeJ0SmarAzhnXMuGzfiMMeszWSHNNDqmeo3jrQFkv8uf/s320/IMG_20150613_101002681.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I obviously struggle to select only a few photos so I'm going to stop here and do a part 2 tomorrow (hopefully! No promises!). </div>
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This trip was so successful because we did mostly kid friendly activities which was still a blast for my sister and I. Traveling to NYC was a wonderful experience and I absolutely recommend taking your kids! In my next post, I'll add a few tips for doing NYC with little ones. </div>
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I've decided to end {most} post with a "what I'm listening to" video since 2 of you messaged me that you loved the last song I posted. That's about 50% of my readers, so I figured I'd keep it up.</div>
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Today I've got "Holy Spirit" performed by Kim Walker (Jesus Culture) at the Passion Conference on repeat. I love this song of invitation to the Lord.</div>
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Enjoy your Sunday evening, friends!</div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-39469260201530619542015-07-29T16:25:00.003-04:002015-07-29T16:25:34.487-04:00The Desert<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again! It has been a summer for the record books. I need to sit down and recap the major events for the kids and for my own fleeting memory! We've taken 6 or so road trips, sold our investment property, swam almost daily, went to 2 VBS's and built a house... all while living with my parents. WHEW. We've been building this house since November so we're excited to be in the home stretch. Our March close date came and went but God's timing is never wrong. There are times I didn't see the BIG picture when looking at each obstacle but God put each puzzle piece together just perfectly in HIS timing (certainly not my own!) and man... God has been so faithful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjccV6IouIviZ1XZqFhdpv4oK0x80e9Z5b8oh9dzkiAE6csGhVXTzeDpyZ3j3zOXdZHWLnS_aBfl5CyawfXnleZkNxlCvy7IPPGQWQb5Z0gr7QsJIi5ZupNie3AIMr7UU_lWAPnm4yLAr/s1600/4058855d21d9b1c651acea059dd5c6f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjccV6IouIviZ1XZqFhdpv4oK0x80e9Z5b8oh9dzkiAE6csGhVXTzeDpyZ3j3zOXdZHWLnS_aBfl5CyawfXnleZkNxlCvy7IPPGQWQb5Z0gr7QsJIi5ZupNie3AIMr7UU_lWAPnm4yLAr/s320/4058855d21d9b1c651acea059dd5c6f6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are days I've felt "in the desert" so to speak. (You should know I typed dessert by accident which is also true. I've been in the desert and in the dessert... Klondike Bars anyone?) My parents house is over an hour away from where we do life. That means my husband leaves for work an hour before I even consider getting out of bed and comes home an hour later. Friendships I've cultivated over the last 4 years have been strained and are in desperate need of mending. We've had to put a dog to sleep, I've lost a grandmother and the selling of our rental house went anything but smoothly. We've had our fair share of hurdles lately but God guided each of those, 1st by changing my perspective.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYdn8wnWYVtSEZZlnkz7suroOqIOXE1kdDldmzvc7c5qb-WrPvpWF87PRKdfjtWOr-77OQs7UXmNgqklISOgWrceZTaIRth1lAULLG8Xqah9dNSSezj1hh9dxGsy8hd31Mc9Il7pBYVdJ/s1600/verse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYdn8wnWYVtSEZZlnkz7suroOqIOXE1kdDldmzvc7c5qb-WrPvpWF87PRKdfjtWOr-77OQs7UXmNgqklISOgWrceZTaIRth1lAULLG8Xqah9dNSSezj1hh9dxGsy8hd31Mc9Il7pBYVdJ/s1600/verse.jpg" /></a></div>
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You see, if we'd moved into the new house in March like we were supposed it, we would have floated 2 mortgages while we sold the rental house (our "rent to own" renters gave us notice they were moving out 30 days before they were supposed to close on the house!). God protected our finances. The loss of a grandmother has been tough but living with my parents has given my dad the ability to be in Atlanta with his dad while I take care of the house/dog. God gave us this time as a family to heal together. While I miss my core group of friends, being back where I grew up has allowed me to rekindle a few childhood friendships. God has reminded me of the importance of good friendships and encouraged me to be a better one. His timing is always perfect. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbXmPKDX8sCOFwWvPRY3Cgm_4gDorsUIrTcq9zIqWuLtz9PeeQgy4ZE_VNiDQQzHh8nM1P3kzwrxwzySbcf_JurEALOyq4hGZnHeOsb5SL6JFh7u9OmokIR2yE8_GankzgrtJJrAh_D4l/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbXmPKDX8sCOFwWvPRY3Cgm_4gDorsUIrTcq9zIqWuLtz9PeeQgy4ZE_VNiDQQzHh8nM1P3kzwrxwzySbcf_JurEALOyq4hGZnHeOsb5SL6JFh7u9OmokIR2yE8_GankzgrtJJrAh_D4l/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've really enjoyed being back at the church I grew up in. The kids love Sunday school and we all had the BEST time at Vacation Bible School! If I believed in coincidences, I'd say the current series on "the wilderness" would be one. God blessed the Children of Israel abundantly and yet, they spent 40 years grumbling and doing things their way. Had they obeyed God with gracious hearts, they would have entered the Promise Land years before. What an eye opener for my own attitude! I'm not saying our new house is "The Promise Land" but I took this picture one day when I felt God had put peace in my heart that if we were patient, we would eventually move here. It's an indescribable feeling to be 16 days from that promise. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TPzNYaFJD-bcNbDa4oRKmGBZJD7mmMNVrIHkWcVE3APfb2ayukTOOzbR_cwiZ5gUu2mRP7DmUDG90KjYS6rIjnpuJkmfDriD1hP4ce-hbTQve_185nPrlTg1wwAdT5Bon4vupJV7z1v4/s1600/IMG_20150509_190115482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TPzNYaFJD-bcNbDa4oRKmGBZJD7mmMNVrIHkWcVE3APfb2ayukTOOzbR_cwiZ5gUu2mRP7DmUDG90KjYS6rIjnpuJkmfDriD1hP4ce-hbTQve_185nPrlTg1wwAdT5Bon4vupJV7z1v4/s320/IMG_20150509_190115482.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only pictures I have of our house and the rainbow over it has a street sign in it so for internet privacy, here's the same rainbow over some other houses in the neighborhood. ;) </td></tr>
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It's easy to get bogged down in your current circumstances. Hello... 8 weeks living with my parents has turned into 5 1/2 months. I love my parents but no one wants to move their family into their parent's house for 5 months an hour away from their home-base. That said, now that I'm at the tail end of this journey, it's clear to see God's hand shifting the pieces of our future together in ways my humanity didn't allow me to understand. I can also see times where my grumbling and complaining kept me from fulling receiving God's blessings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfcj9bePRem79BkEOIhfcIKPwgbscufUen0J32jANWS578tndzXQXNJTD_9ia9IHhZIMdiXcuQIOjmersxM8ZLcSDyuZ4fLopOdU2pXU2IOx169Fvj2xYOCgOSksJA8xmwwg1E_AbjUFc/s1600/IMG_1357-2-1024x697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfcj9bePRem79BkEOIhfcIKPwgbscufUen0J32jANWS578tndzXQXNJTD_9ia9IHhZIMdiXcuQIOjmersxM8ZLcSDyuZ4fLopOdU2pXU2IOx169Fvj2xYOCgOSksJA8xmwwg1E_AbjUFc/s320/IMG_1357-2-1024x697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know a few of my friends are in their own form of a desert. I want to encourage you that you aren't alone and if you take a step back, ask for wisdom, understanding and guidance, you may see God moving in ways bigger than you imaged. Your attitude and perspective in the wilderness will open your heart to see the blessings in the horizon and the faithfulness of the Lord. </div>
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I feel like I should leave this mini blog sermon with a benediction. haha </div>
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I tend to find a song that speaks to whatever season of life I'm in and play it on repeat. This week I'm wearing out "Great are you Lord" by Sons & Daughters</div>
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Enjoy! I promise to be back soon with updates from our NYC/DC trip, Hilton Head family vacay and updates on the housing front! </div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-51657202898049478562015-03-03T10:17:00.002-05:002015-03-03T10:17:34.509-05:00Taylor Wise according to Google<div style="text-align: center;">
It's moving week in the Wise household... which means I'm putting off packing boxes in favor of watching last Friday's episode of The Blacklist and writing a blog post. I work better under pressure... which sounds better than "I'm procrastinating." </div>
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This morning, I was trolling facebook while trying to convince myself to get out of bed which isn't possible when you've already packed your keurig. There is no motivation to wake up once the coffee is gone. I'm not grocery shopping this week since we're moving out in T minus 4 days. I fed my children cheese its and blueberries for breakfast and I ate last night's jambalaya. I've convinced myself we will make it until Saturday without going to the store but my 8:00am heartburn may win that battle. Lesson learned... never eat kielbasa for breakfast. Anyways, I was playing around on facebook and saw a few people had shared their "What's on your Wikipedia page?" I didn't click on it because I think Daniel will divorce me if I ask him to rebuild my computer for a 13th time due to it's affection for viruses but it did spark my interest.</div>
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What would Google say about Taylor Wise? I realize on the vanity scale of Jesus being a 1 and Kim Kardashian being a 10, this falls somewhere in the 8 range but I figured I should know what the internet says about me.</div>
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The answer is... Taylor Swift. No matter how I Google myself, the internet says "Did you mean Taylor Swift?" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrWrn1AIN8eJMuUqQyadeEDce632PeOnlc0OK2qxLBwwndwrWD6KjW6553XXHCjAooGd9dKwY89SK-A3UK3oITdZmsKyqqBrxQKUSc2JfeEUDxKTWTCc0dDBgnlZYRE9MobkOalYvQIV6/s1600/Taylor+swift+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrWrn1AIN8eJMuUqQyadeEDce632PeOnlc0OK2qxLBwwndwrWD6KjW6553XXHCjAooGd9dKwY89SK-A3UK3oITdZmsKyqqBrxQKUSc2JfeEUDxKTWTCc0dDBgnlZYRE9MobkOalYvQIV6/s1600/Taylor+swift+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I finally got Google to give me non-Taylor Swift photos, here's what the internet had to say about me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hra2nGDjxqH7S7vBvgcaFmjllY5t69P6q0VfArlfXkY__Yx4Drh8HNHFt5v9pqbNgAkJ9I9iz2FRDADPxaShGWC4Y6HVAQXmDNFefiqnyeev1LYtkrEEg-Pxgdpt-Bgj7HHRM29-Db9w/s1600/Screenshot_2015-03-03-09-35-47.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hra2nGDjxqH7S7vBvgcaFmjllY5t69P6q0VfArlfXkY__Yx4Drh8HNHFt5v9pqbNgAkJ9I9iz2FRDADPxaShGWC4Y6HVAQXmDNFefiqnyeev1LYtkrEEg-Pxgdpt-Bgj7HHRM29-Db9w/s1600/Screenshot_2015-03-03-09-35-47.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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My facebook profile, my blog, where I went to high school and then straight to things that aren't relevant to myself. Nothing too overly exciting, although it did make me ponder what am I (or more like am I not) contributing to society?! Apparently just a measly (occasional) blog of 80 followers and the knowledge that I did, in fact, graduate high school. I'd like to think I'm storing my treasures in heaven because they certainly aren't on Google. </div>
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The BEST part of Googling myself were the pages and pages of images... of not me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeWVTHiW_9L2gLFaTBNshI3Wr5BYj5A6b9LBEJXnn-X4_8TE7i7q_vsPRIbudcxfvi9CYCdkSoWCzo_uObL_UgUYJjjqupaJozpPWDET3aVZbkqsbqoB6bV84PQElXMjPBhk9GgKAg8CK/s1600/Screenshot_2015-03-03-09-10-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeWVTHiW_9L2gLFaTBNshI3Wr5BYj5A6b9LBEJXnn-X4_8TE7i7q_vsPRIbudcxfvi9CYCdkSoWCzo_uObL_UgUYJjjqupaJozpPWDET3aVZbkqsbqoB6bV84PQElXMjPBhk9GgKAg8CK/s1600/Screenshot_2015-03-03-09-10-12.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Google got #6 ALMOST right... that is at least Daniel and Parker. Let's talk about Silence of the Lambs and Hoop Mix Tape?! haha I can't even begin to think how those relate to me. My ONLY connection with Britney Spears was when I dressed up as crazy Britney Halloween of 2007. Is Google THAT smart?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4UjZpfw6BBNX2tJmftJpOKa4K7Vk5E5pAIfkSvhzG5_mvMupcFjbsVf9MhrA6DbquKDHY6uwraOYaC8g9VYYZ-Sxbe3IBVAD3I8cpTwWgIykLs-qy3qe7AiAdfxIWdmwVHp4bzUZ3T9G/s1600/crazy+britney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4UjZpfw6BBNX2tJmftJpOKa4K7Vk5E5pAIfkSvhzG5_mvMupcFjbsVf9MhrA6DbquKDHY6uwraOYaC8g9VYYZ-Sxbe3IBVAD3I8cpTwWgIykLs-qy3qe7AiAdfxIWdmwVHp4bzUZ3T9G/s1600/crazy+britney.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are my favorite images of "Taylor Carr Wise" just from page 1 of Google images:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsprl9TPMmQZ8eskja6ooq1dnNkbZFNqTUEIPyXdqDbP_DdzPmga9fDhUd-2v5D0FRBOwGbP9HzupUtxM9kPEzOLvTrrPanBvHAsXQkFAZ9eL6rVzm1AG-1BEs0u_yq-EAv0Ub2JYFITv/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsprl9TPMmQZ8eskja6ooq1dnNkbZFNqTUEIPyXdqDbP_DdzPmga9fDhUd-2v5D0FRBOwGbP9HzupUtxM9kPEzOLvTrrPanBvHAsXQkFAZ9eL6rVzm1AG-1BEs0u_yq-EAv0Ub2JYFITv/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the 1 picture on "images of Taylor Carr Wise" that actually IS me!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA-cEblAtwgWCDFVltzKyGLgFKrpJIysyuYJZBJFYeuZVnWtt_TuqulH9QcPHlylaNctCTI89ucOpZqmhtsmrYTFqVign1CmEmj6jzZOQwGPWSRl_ddE4U0t15fV12MQOdEPgM9fPFr5L/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA-cEblAtwgWCDFVltzKyGLgFKrpJIysyuYJZBJFYeuZVnWtt_TuqulH9QcPHlylaNctCTI89ucOpZqmhtsmrYTFqVign1CmEmj6jzZOQwGPWSRl_ddE4U0t15fV12MQOdEPgM9fPFr5L/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't judge... I obviously was a little heavy handed with the Doritos that month...plus we all know my affinity for overalls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-nylC8hH0rV0pD4LWX2MBo22l3afrFPs5I6GjAX_bcSLC6GjYzWQcK_h_ixeU6VztodwQZ3cfEwX66wRhgeCFoIJzOcWLmsUl64j8fwEAjBdE_QdA8zdUu4l4OUYvTATDQNZknV00Kxs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-nylC8hH0rV0pD4LWX2MBo22l3afrFPs5I6GjAX_bcSLC6GjYzWQcK_h_ixeU6VztodwQZ3cfEwX66wRhgeCFoIJzOcWLmsUl64j8fwEAjBdE_QdA8zdUu4l4OUYvTATDQNZknV00Kxs/s1600/4.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sideline as a black man nicknamed "Pit Bull"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElYz_OjRMXko9gcIVRhMkgCGp3XOXHpBy1A3zTUqlsimFfJPu9EjXoezPATnEs9sWa6IRo3Tdq-tBdtRjhqup8QhqcU5_FGLqzYDuN6MMnYd14EP3cLezWfE1BxTCO7jQFmuNXVvMJ5hB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElYz_OjRMXko9gcIVRhMkgCGp3XOXHpBy1A3zTUqlsimFfJPu9EjXoezPATnEs9sWa6IRo3Tdq-tBdtRjhqup8QhqcU5_FGLqzYDuN6MMnYd14EP3cLezWfE1BxTCO7jQFmuNXVvMJ5hB/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't always handle my wine with as much class as Olivia Pope. Never let me mix red and white again, please. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9QqOWxpd59V_stiXec6V3QwOe7IRpdK3eIiNXNWqClBM9lsikZOOA__kcxD7HrIcD2AHFy8aiUw4_gN1ai1f9JOpnJ5SPy8GpndbwNe1V2gBLWouzCUSGnb4LzvfNE7oEmE6daj8J8L9/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9QqOWxpd59V_stiXec6V3QwOe7IRpdK3eIiNXNWqClBM9lsikZOOA__kcxD7HrIcD2AHFy8aiUw4_gN1ai1f9JOpnJ5SPy8GpndbwNe1V2gBLWouzCUSGnb4LzvfNE7oEmE6daj8J8L9/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I hopped out of the shower this morning, this is exactly what I saw in the mirror. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBZujyz2r4TQT3BhN1QvI0BtSKpXvCYIZxiMAzSiOApRQm9Uwz-emkGHx481BLbsEbgATg3BuyOIFZKv36b5-45-gq_G3O9yZCDpqw7TDI1kuO6SV-dGMIyJWPMU7ntsNlqN-LrQkyfuE/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBZujyz2r4TQT3BhN1QvI0BtSKpXvCYIZxiMAzSiOApRQm9Uwz-emkGHx481BLbsEbgATg3BuyOIFZKv36b5-45-gq_G3O9yZCDpqw7TDI1kuO6SV-dGMIyJWPMU7ntsNlqN-LrQkyfuE/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously my sister and I engaged in a friendly after dinner wrestling match. Sometimes Kelly doesn't shave her legs for weeks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sjEDZrBPbNfZcXQ8GLCli4x9PgiKm1MLrYvpU1g5cBHR1xxO7sGacOoUI5ThDuVLA9QLVFcLqJuWSRMgDoyDgpzmdOU5yU6UjmhqrY3h2HT85M9JnDYCvH81JmxySnM4qGSdrY80vvve/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sjEDZrBPbNfZcXQ8GLCli4x9PgiKm1MLrYvpU1g5cBHR1xxO7sGacOoUI5ThDuVLA9QLVFcLqJuWSRMgDoyDgpzmdOU5yU6UjmhqrY3h2HT85M9JnDYCvH81JmxySnM4qGSdrY80vvve/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this one at one of those old timey photo shops in Myrtle Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PEOu7N78QMoCRzchMCW_YJJfP-OGnigapYQtx2IheFqbjxaOjYBrO8hOg5anXOWK2-XzHs44S01fmNjDDlPNm9nPFCI-74Bmv2BYT_MylUPLIGxfjlxUCEQtu-4gegBamq7PcU8diCiI/s1600/2013_05_04-CARR-JODI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PEOu7N78QMoCRzchMCW_YJJfP-OGnigapYQtx2IheFqbjxaOjYBrO8hOg5anXOWK2-XzHs44S01fmNjDDlPNm9nPFCI-74Bmv2BYT_MylUPLIGxfjlxUCEQtu-4gegBamq7PcU8diCiI/s1600/2013_05_04-CARR-JODI.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I like to dye my hair pink and go on crime sprees.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvScgIC1HqY92590YcwBDV_z_cavfu-xwbXi8PDJDfafRGcc8cEl73MY5SRiL0abinhv633uHxZ_NUAMXS5aPwj_kByeAzbOFAUrRJbjFUH-L9czWA_QqnarW8CYT04x4mPOHpEoWe724/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvScgIC1HqY92590YcwBDV_z_cavfu-xwbXi8PDJDfafRGcc8cEl73MY5SRiL0abinhv633uHxZ_NUAMXS5aPwj_kByeAzbOFAUrRJbjFUH-L9czWA_QqnarW8CYT04x4mPOHpEoWe724/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I look before I've had my coffee.</td></tr>
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So there you have it... Taylor Carr Wise according to Google. I'm certainly feeling super awesome about myself and my contributions to society. </div>
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Your turn. Google yourself and post your favorite image of you that's not you in the comments section on facebook. This could be fun! </div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-23565442794653577562015-02-11T20:44:00.000-05:002015-02-11T20:44:13.985-05:00What's Up Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuggM6h87r69iHMAsSk1-B6Y2hAHfNd03CjMq8unrAhZOZ0xmWnLd-O6DsXJbGWsIrnaWZRScUrYnrbNZp3X33qiHOd3wpNb6O5DNLeDaK68Pt8wvkacClR5KsLxYh_Qqt1tYQrd-6DaNh/s1600/12_WhatsUp_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuggM6h87r69iHMAsSk1-B6Y2hAHfNd03CjMq8unrAhZOZ0xmWnLd-O6DsXJbGWsIrnaWZRScUrYnrbNZp3X33qiHOd3wpNb6O5DNLeDaK68Pt8wvkacClR5KsLxYh_Qqt1tYQrd-6DaNh/s1600/12_WhatsUp_logo.png" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some internet friends that I don't actually know in person are hosting a "What's Up Wednesday" party together so I figured I'd link up because... my Wednesday has been perfectly mundane so I know you're all dying to hear about it.</div>
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<b>WHAT I'M EATING:</b></div>
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Cool Ranch Doritos currently (don't judge).... Grocery day is almost here so tonight we're eating a bunch of stuff put in a crock pot and then baked into Southwestern Egg Rolls. I LOVE recipes like <a href="http://www.nutritiouseats.com/baked-southwestern-egg-rolls-meal-planning/" target="_blank">this</a> that don't have to be precise. I can add and take away based on leftovers, frozen foods and canned items I have and it still taste great! Tonight, I added chicken that I needed to cook. It was delish... and didn't look a thing like the picture in the recipe. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-45gV_wiDWvMFLV6U90NdH-20pV_wlHca4KTeMG8O9mY_T2RlaHnyAZKxZjonIAWSJIfrF4NVlnFG9fecYQ7X2RV0i3cq2JcRNJeg65dVYyB3ONjhZAoADGzqSBMWxf2jkp_r9E9NG0X/s1600/egg+rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-45gV_wiDWvMFLV6U90NdH-20pV_wlHca4KTeMG8O9mY_T2RlaHnyAZKxZjonIAWSJIfrF4NVlnFG9fecYQ7X2RV0i3cq2JcRNJeg65dVYyB3ONjhZAoADGzqSBMWxf2jkp_r9E9NG0X/s1600/egg+rolls.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest pictures lie.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm looking forward to:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">We're going snow tubing for the 9th anniversary of my 21st birthday on Feb. 27th. My actual birthday is Feb 23rd but ever since my sister and I moved out and became big girls, my parents have crazy busy social lives so we moved it back a few days. It reminds me of the Toyota Venza commercial. I'm in bed by 9pm and they're at concerts at the Biltmore House in Asheville and having wine with friends on pontoon boats at sunset. I want to be them when I grow up. I'm really looking forward to a day of snow tubing with the kids! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm loving:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Toddler clothes... as usual! </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Matilda Jane's new <a href="https://www.matildajaneclothing.com/b1715-pink-roses-big-ruffles" target="_blank">pink roses big ruffles</a> may be my favorite pair of pants Avery has ever owned! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDExFBFIHkWNxSPXBVl6SRWIv7Ypp6vtOWhJN45aAVqeXqRftlyPN0ojQEWat8jWcKIiT-jJuYF2hFW-cqb7RKY_ekpC0OPtiYkQfSIz5D3KmmMLExd0nkZ59Zrw2yHmo6usqZspD-mSW-/s1600/IMG_20150210_131626112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDExFBFIHkWNxSPXBVl6SRWIv7Ypp6vtOWhJN45aAVqeXqRftlyPN0ojQEWat8jWcKIiT-jJuYF2hFW-cqb7RKY_ekpC0OPtiYkQfSIz5D3KmmMLExd0nkZ59Zrw2yHmo6usqZspD-mSW-/s1600/IMG_20150210_131626112.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">She could have gotten away with murder yesterday in those pants.... thankfully, the only crime committed was that she and Parker self served themselves ice cream cones at 9:15am while I was at the dentist and my husband was <strike>on a conference call</strike> watching them. I couldn't even be mad... I probably would have done the same thing if I were them. Opportunistic little boogers. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What we've been up to:</span></b></div>
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We <i>finally</i> have a contract on our house! So what I HAVEN'T been doing is obsessively cleaning! We spent the majority of the weekend finalizing new house plans and making excessively too many trips to Lowes. During the week, the kids and I are into a pretty good groove of school, planned activities, play dates and general housework and I'm loving not having as many "showing request." It's a HUGE weight off my shoulders! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9LMEDHSd9TiX5Jjb5OtIz6Cq6mIltYOSlAu4QFV5c17Yfi0mDdfjx-E81-HJ3zyqQeRsy8YIDK7n7bsCcyk3gkmw6Bjz3_n8UkGtT8VsfCiIIGWm4uCpT4uAjuMZAJx2cck99R7NrHOU/s1600/showing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9LMEDHSd9TiX5Jjb5OtIz6Cq6mIltYOSlAu4QFV5c17Yfi0mDdfjx-E81-HJ3zyqQeRsy8YIDK7n7bsCcyk3gkmw6Bjz3_n8UkGtT8VsfCiIIGWm4uCpT4uAjuMZAJx2cck99R7NrHOU/s1600/showing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We usually do our stalking from the comforts of our minivan parked up the street because...hello.. DVD player!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm dreading: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm not dreading packing since we're doing it progressively, but I AM dreading cleaning the house in between moving out and closing. Last time we moved my mom did it because she's AWESOME.... and because I pulled the cancer card. Those cleaning solutions can't be good for me ;) This time, I'm going to beg my husband to hire a cleaning crew.... or hope Oprah sends me one. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RSE1LKy_B5g7-5obuZ1Ni25yemsR_5FOjcMwo4pL9daEFREiN6hHftloinbjgZ5KPE0i3tncODBlK9M14cbjQm-bbKuXqi4c4TVevtSA9iS5wSrzaZqyOBWBkInpqyL4RC1bKWLirvJL/s1600/oprah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RSE1LKy_B5g7-5obuZ1Ni25yemsR_5FOjcMwo4pL9daEFREiN6hHftloinbjgZ5KPE0i3tncODBlK9M14cbjQm-bbKuXqi4c4TVevtSA9iS5wSrzaZqyOBWBkInpqyL4RC1bKWLirvJL/s1600/oprah.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm working on:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm working on a wreath for Avery's room in the new house. Every closet door needs a wreath, right?!</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">It's taking me FOREVER because I ran out of materials and it's meticulous but I really like how it's turning out. </span></div>
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Her new room will be navy, pink, mint and gray with silver metallic accents. I'm pretty excited about it! Ask me the color scheme for the rest of the house..... Yeah, I haven't a clue.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm excited about:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Parker's birthday party! He has been planning his party since March 22nd of last year. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf7EFK4gBtbszLeRNBbVBCPE7iOZVgn7hKfAXR5yaBZ_YSRMlbcDWgB_iAUqa3M_LawWugByRcpsL6MBAw_ygX3SnQ9WsN7yRy8B1xEtopIWn9QG5lo8KIPV40mdFwLrUx3YMP3MkEn6p/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf7EFK4gBtbszLeRNBbVBCPE7iOZVgn7hKfAXR5yaBZ_YSRMlbcDWgB_iAUqa3M_LawWugByRcpsL6MBAw_ygX3SnQ9WsN7yRy8B1xEtopIWn9QG5lo8KIPV40mdFwLrUx3YMP3MkEn6p/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's party was a hit!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">Parker is just like his daddy. Nothing gets him too excited and nothing gets him too down.</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">They're both very even keeled so when Parker gets REALLY excited about something, I am too. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I've spent the last 2 days planning his Spiderman party and I think it will be everything he's asked for... even if I've had to jump through hoops like a circus lion to make it happen. How many phone calls does it take to plan a fairly simple Spiderman party? For me, the answer has been 14. Between the location, cake lady, neighborhood HOA and finding someone to dress as Spiderman, do a magic show and twist balloons, this party has been no easy feat. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm watching:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Currently, I'm keeping up with Pretty Little Liars (seriously though, who is A?!), Scandal, The Blacklist and Revenge. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The last 3 are hands down the best shows on television and you can't convince me otherwise. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I didn't watch the last season of Parenthood so I'm playing catch up now on the iPad laying in bed at night before I fall asleep. Don't we all want to be a Braverman? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Daniel and I both love "period shows" like Rome, Spartacus, Downton Abbey, The White Queen, and The Tutors. We recently put on "Reign" and I'm hooked... Daniel not so much. I did a quick Google search and just realized it airs on the "CW" which may be why Daniel called it quits after 2 episodes. It's basically a teenage version of "The Tutors"...except with the French Henry, not the English one... and amazing costumes.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm listening to:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oxXwRWFTo" target="_blank">Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave</a> is on repeat at my house right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F6oxXwRWFTo" width="560"></iframe></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b>What am I annoyed by:</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Realtors. Does that need an explanation?</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What am I hoping for:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">One good snow day then spring. High 60's - High 70's for the month of March, April and May. Is that too much to ask?</span> </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What am I wearing today:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My winter mom uniform! Eggplant sweatshirt tunic, olive green cable knit leggings and dark brown boots</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">I wear some combination of sweatshirt tunics, leggings and boots at least 5 times a week. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">It's like wearing pajamas but socially more acceptable. </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What else is new:</span></b></div>
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I'm appliance shopping for a new refrigerator and washer & dryer. I'm pretty excited about gifting my current ones to the new owners of our house. Do any of you LOVE your fridge or washer & dryer?! There are SOOOO many to choose from!</div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">What's up with you?</span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-3516109734626987052015-02-05T11:43:00.000-05:002015-02-05T11:43:31.497-05:00The Case of the Non Existent Chicken Pox<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me just start off by saying "WOW!" You guys are incredible! I wrote a spurt of the moment <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2015/02/world-cancer-day-soapbox.html" target="_blank">soapbox post yesterday</a> about life choices and the risk of cancer for World Cancer Day. You guys read it, "liked it," "shared it" and encouraged this mama in the process! I was blown away by the support and I can't thank you enough for that. </div>
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I spent last night attempting to watch the most recent Pretty Little Liars episode (I'm leaning towards Toby, Mike or <i>MAYBE</i> even Aria being A, thoughts? Why is this SO hard to figure out?!). I say attempting because Avery is battling us BIG TIME about going to bed again. This has been a struggle since she was, I dunno... 6 weeks old?! If it's not one thing it's another. She's hungry. She needs water. She needs a book. She's afraid of the dark. Her fish is swimming too loudly (Hattie, her beta, must only be vocal at night) Her doll needs me. She's afraid of monsters. She hears noises outside. She needs to go potty. She needs clean sheets. She needs to brush her teeth again. Her baby doll needs to brush her teeth. Her baby doll needs a pull up. She needs to make sure we're in bed..... We thought we had heard it all. </div>
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...UNTIL....</div>
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Avery has now diagnosed herself with chicken pox. Thanks Doc McStuffins. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you see all those chicken pox?! Yeah. Me either. </td></tr>
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The last 3 nights she says she's covered in red bumps, they're itchy and she has a case of the chicken pox. She will even scratch herself. Did you know that the cure for chicken pox is that you can't go to sleep?! My 3 year old told me so, so obviously it's true. </div>
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We have tried baths, lotions, giving her "medicine" (her nightly vitamin), talking to her about it like she's a tiny adult, looking up pictures of chicken pox and comparing her non-poxy skin and even time out for being dramatic and not listening. 2-3 hours for the last 3 nights have been dedicated to convincing my child that she does not, in fact, have chicken pox. I'm not gonna lie, it's a little bit cute. I know this will pass so I'm laughing about it behind her back but by hour 2.... mama's gonna need you to go to sleep. </div>
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We finally resorted to calling "Dr Smolen's nurse, Susan" AKA my sister, Kelly, in Brooklyn who advised her to put on some lotion and sleep it off. It worked the first night but these darn chicken pox flair back up at 7:30pm the next night. It's that the craziest thing?! Thankfully, nurse Susan works late.</div>
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Once Avery falls asleep, she'll sleep until 9:30am which continues the late night cycle so today, I woke her up at 7:30. She's a sleepy, cranky, pill today that I've had to dress extra cute with a big bow to tolerate. I've seriously considering shipping her to anyone's house that will keep her alive for the day but I'm gonna tough it out and try an earlier bed time tonight. I'm pretty sure the mini bundt cakes and cupcakes on today's list of things to make will turn that scowl upside down ;)</div>
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I tell you this for a few reasons. 1. Because it is ridiculously cute and hilarious. 2. It is equally annoying and exhausting 3. I want to remember these days and her imagination 4. HELP!!!</div>
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Has anyone ever successfully broken a pattern of increasingly imaginative excuses? Do I want to break the pattern of excuses? Do I just secretly enjoy this precious time with her being young and adorable? I vaguely remember Parker having a hard time going to sleep but never with this much dramatic flair. Now, I could tell him at 4pm to go sleep on a bath mat and he would. They're just different kids. Motherhood can be so conflicting!</div>
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Am I the only one battling night time excuses? Commiserate with me... or encourage me... or give me your phone number and become a fake night nurse... Nurse Susan isn't as available on the weekends. </div>
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On a totally unrelated note, I'm hosting a Matilda Jane party at my house tomorrow, Friday the 6th at 6pm-the bundt cakes and wine run out. I'd love for you to come! Absolutely no pressure to buy anything! Grab your kids and come over for a night of juice boxes and cupcakes for the kids and wine and bundt cakes for the ladies. Email me at tlcarr7@yahoo.com for more information. If you can't make the party, you can still order through my trunk keeper. I've linked the new line <a href="https://www.matildajaneclothing.com/collections/Hello_Lovely" target="_blank">here</a>. Let me know if you see anything you'd like to order! </div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-91491366598754428882015-02-04T21:38:00.000-05:002015-02-05T09:22:47.383-05:00World Cancer Day Soapbox<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is World Cancer Day. I'm not entirely sure what that means. Are we raising awareness of cancer? Celebrating survivors? Remembering those who fought the fight but didn't make it? Facebook was vague on the details but one thing is for sure. I had it. It sucked. You don't want it. I strongly suggest preventing it. </div>
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If you've read my post before, I don't regret my cancer. It was a growing experience for me, personally. If you've never read "my cancer story" they're linked <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-is-one-of-those-post-that-you.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2013/02/5-years-cancer-free.html" target="_blank">here</a> and various places throughout my blog but I think those best sum it up. Though I don't regret my cancer, I can't say it was my favorite season of life, either. It was my 1st year of marriage, my 1st year of my "big girl job", it was EXPENSIVE, it robbed me of fertility (but PRAISE GOD for my MIRACLE BABIES!). Yes, it took my hair but let's just be honest.... I rocked it Sinead O'Conner style. Who wore it better?!</div>
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Don't answer that. </div>
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What cancer didn't take was my faith. My hope. My joy. My marriage. My will. I never gave it that power.</div>
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I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Doctors aren't sure what causes lymphoma but as most of you know, there are many things that we DO know that can cause cancer. </div>
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This is Derick's soapbox...I'm going to borrow it from him for a moment. If I knew how to use photoshop, I'd photoshop my own little soap box but since I don't, I'll steal Derick's. I bet he won't mind. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAe0fVM6KDZANhBXyKY3Mnu9lymLa4ClOjTV1twEkEc73yvAHnu_l4OKHbYE56hAg18KFC-KeDJ-SOZeBKksXpMdZ9ZslXWTBUnsDFEucs8YDsLw8k7cmBLK30y1YkStCTMyu0s6T0gLn/s1600/derrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAe0fVM6KDZANhBXyKY3Mnu9lymLa4ClOjTV1twEkEc73yvAHnu_l4OKHbYE56hAg18KFC-KeDJ-SOZeBKksXpMdZ9ZslXWTBUnsDFEucs8YDsLw8k7cmBLK30y1YkStCTMyu0s6T0gLn/s1600/derrick.jpg" /></a></div>
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Cancer can happen to you. It happened to me at age 23 and I learned a very valuable lesson....I am not invincible. Not all of you have figured that out yet. Be informed and make your own decision based on your knowledge of <a href="http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancerbasics/lifetime-probability-of-developing-or-dying-from-cancer" target="_blank">facts</a>. Not all cancer can be prevented but many CAN be! Other cancers can be cured with a high remission rate with easy detection. Tonight, I beg you to inform yourself of your risk and decide if your choices are worth it. </div>
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<b>Smokers</b>, here is a black lung vs a healthy lung. Have you ever seen someone die of COPD? I have. It's awful watching someone struggle to breath. I don't want that for ANY of you. Is your cigarette worth it? </div>
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For those of you who like stats and math.... I'm no math wizard but I'm pretty sure this means 90% of lung cancer is attributed to actively smoking. That seems like a pretty good reason to not smoke. </div>
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<b>Tanners</b>, I was once one of you. The best naps of my life occurred for 20 minutes at Palm Beach Tan. Fact... Tan fat is prettier than pasty white fat. I get that. Thus the reason I got the BEST SPRAY TAN OF MY LIFE for these family pictures. </div>
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We all know tanning beds can cause cancer. I have a friend currently going through a YEARS worth of treatment for melanoma. A YEAR. A whole year of her life feeling sick, fighting for her life. I'm sure she would be happy to talk to you about her experience with skin cancer and how she also thought it would never happen to her. It happens to<a href="https://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/conditions/skin-cancer" target="_blank"> 1 in 5 Americans.</a> Wear sunscreen... the good stuff and get out of the tanning bed, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. I will rub sunless tanner on you for free. You're welcome. </div>
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<b>Terrible Eaters</b>, I too love M&M ice cream cookie sandwiches. Yes, Cool Ranch Doritos are absolutely considered a meal on Super Bowl Sunday.... but on Monday, eat some kale. Fact with no merit or link to prove it but I'm pretty sure it's true.... Americans eat awfully. We consider this food:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLxTjgnWMt952JZHqmgpsqESCwX6xLNiRfyl07789TExMMHzT35HZon87KyvRSNcbg711gbqDl2Qfe3YcmR4qtgLtrrqFPA2DkOshr8oXWyh3A8-rPpyShIRczwXQ5OaVzE0-rF28WQzs/s1600/slime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLxTjgnWMt952JZHqmgpsqESCwX6xLNiRfyl07789TExMMHzT35HZon87KyvRSNcbg711gbqDl2Qfe3YcmR4qtgLtrrqFPA2DkOshr8oXWyh3A8-rPpyShIRczwXQ5OaVzE0-rF28WQzs/s1600/slime.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently these are McDonald's Chicken Nuggets...not strawberry yogurt as my husband thought</td></tr>
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I'm fairly certain (with once again no facts to back this up) that the majority of us who have had cancer have put it in ourselves by the crap we (including myself!) eat. Would you eat the cleaning solution under your sink? You'd be surprised that most chemicals under your sink are in the food in your pantry, </div>
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Don't get me wrong, I currently have NO interest in curbing my <strike>once</strike> twice a day Dr Pepper but be smart about it. Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast, Taco Bell for lunch and McDonald's for dinner isn't food. Just go drink some 409.... it's got the same nutritional value. </div>
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<b>Get Groped. Get Naked. </b>The survivor rates of all cancers are infinitely higher when detected early. Be in tune with your body and it's changes but make sure to get checked. Men have a lower survivor rate of cancer because they wait so long to get checked. It's once a year. It's the doctor's job. What may be awkward for you isn't a blip on their radar. Strip for a dermatologist. It may save your life. Have your breast smashed in a machine. It may save your life. I've never had a prostate exam and nor do I want to google it but you should get one... whatever that entails... just do it... it may save your life. </div>
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Some of you may not like this post. It may make you feel guilty. Good? I mean, I'm NOT judging. I have tanned. I sometimes eat Doritos chased with a Dr Pepper and one time I smoked a cigarette in college... I choked. (sorry mom & dad) I Googled facts and graphs from websites that seemed legit... who knows if they are... but what I DO know is that cancer is real. It happened to me. It can happen to you. I care enough to make you feel uncomfortable and my life from 2007-2008 gives me a platform on which express these opinions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggjGMCuRdkDKT_Niv-HEAQUr-vLUPYT1Ejiwb9dHxe-LuGzaCgNB2YqHbGVWNGeg-hUC1NEx5IE7Zf5xvEe2lK76s2kv9K6R7xkqVHypD71KFeS2SDIQ0-7aTxNrcAL6mqLkq7tKLsN-V/s1600/offend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggjGMCuRdkDKT_Niv-HEAQUr-vLUPYT1Ejiwb9dHxe-LuGzaCgNB2YqHbGVWNGeg-hUC1NEx5IE7Zf5xvEe2lK76s2kv9K6R7xkqVHypD71KFeS2SDIQ0-7aTxNrcAL6mqLkq7tKLsN-V/s1600/offend.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
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My hope is that each of you will take your health into your hands. While much of this post is written in jest, the message is serious. Reduce your risk, get checked yearly and live a long and healthy life. </div>
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OK, OK, little squirrel. Off my soapbox! Happy (?) World Cancer Day, friends!</div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-60841890900700477232015-01-30T09:38:00.000-05:002015-01-30T09:38:16.610-05:00Friday Funnies...Memes<div style="text-align: center;">
It's FRIDAY!!!!! Although with the house on the market, Fridays are now actually just the day before my busiest and most productive 2 days of the week! This week, we had painters repaint the WHOLE house so we could market it as "move in ready." Blinds were removed, furniture was displaced, rooms were shifted and now my house is a lovely shade of nothingness. That's right. If beige is your heart's desire... I'm staring at the beigest of beiges. It's what stagers call "a blank canvas." Which is appropriate since it looks like... a blank canvas. Poor Avery must be dying to give it some life with another one of her famous chapstick or sharpie murals. She's an artist... she just can't help it.</div>
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We have a 2nd showing scheduled for tomorrow morning! Ekk! Prayers please! I have approximately 25 hours worth of work to cram into a 24 hour day (plus some sleep!) so what better time to put all that off for a blog post. </div>
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I am, as usual, late to the game (as in like 3 years late) but y'all....memes.... some of them are REALLY funny! My homeschool facebook group and a few clothing resale groups have "meme offs" on Fridays so I <strike>stole</strike> borrowed some for your viewing pleasure. I stuck with clean ones which limited my choices by about 75%....whew... some people are REALLY BIG FANS of using the F word in these things. I'd love for you to post some of your favorite memes in the comments section on facebook or write your own meme post and link it below! </div>
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We'll start with the ecard memes....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibMq2vNk8E5LcQzAPwnVyFb-hr_NjpAkFVkNTxKzxCfKdul45Y_2ucED3dFGCes0S0imFXSgxcBcvpGoGVvsQJjoHiMmoW8w1k-gugRye1VQ47Dzmu564F6aqkmt7-fikdld-OxHz7B5/s1600/15616_10102913382435315_2359695324989763380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibMq2vNk8E5LcQzAPwnVyFb-hr_NjpAkFVkNTxKzxCfKdul45Y_2ucED3dFGCes0S0imFXSgxcBcvpGoGVvsQJjoHiMmoW8w1k-gugRye1VQ47Dzmu564F6aqkmt7-fikdld-OxHz7B5/s1600/15616_10102913382435315_2359695324989763380_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The struggle is real!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlMTf87LXNTElrJLEVAaMyd1d_yscnrzbZ0XobhXUn9wawvlWcYlnj0-yQaqpbK-TRcITmAqirOmd8Qr6HIVXzkRQfLKSSRCh6Gfm2FcBkgQ9Qbs0hvviCNDjhlwpiHBadbVzYL3PlBL6/s1600/1479301_764815170270846_4365274166722561443_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlMTf87LXNTElrJLEVAaMyd1d_yscnrzbZ0XobhXUn9wawvlWcYlnj0-yQaqpbK-TRcITmAqirOmd8Qr6HIVXzkRQfLKSSRCh6Gfm2FcBkgQ9Qbs0hvviCNDjhlwpiHBadbVzYL3PlBL6/s1600/1479301_764815170270846_4365274166722561443_n.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt this way about 80% of the teenage girls I saw Christmas shopping. Heaven help me. It is my silent prayer that Avery goes this through a phase of turtlenecks and pleated khaki pants when she's 16. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMGUYPYT07QUXiHAUwNkv-y-cbQyYfVINr2CFSw8Zyd98RqnjgXx8iQOO77BXXLKfW-zdk5bi3VKTJJFOcjthHjv1fxs8VZAuDjYyHRcC1pHWp2vJrlRbV5CCOBdbbRxhzpE9vJMbfHZr/s1600/1513649_822328207808299_4871289999042591654_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMGUYPYT07QUXiHAUwNkv-y-cbQyYfVINr2CFSw8Zyd98RqnjgXx8iQOO77BXXLKfW-zdk5bi3VKTJJFOcjthHjv1fxs8VZAuDjYyHRcC1pHWp2vJrlRbV5CCOBdbbRxhzpE9vJMbfHZr/s1600/1513649_822328207808299_4871289999042591654_n.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep ... except replace Oreo with Klondikes or those scrumptious little M&M ice cream cookie sandwiches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0jNs58nyH8pTFZzrbPmUzNjltWZaXenyvuxSvCZFZnAlF6CK36wlCCKSnAEzdRgL0jADDFY8IiRjc-NCLCrwxSAhccfRAblN9hHzKYwEl2zYUKNyuw535jYgSViYB2yXM6TDO_wOoO21/s1600/10671347_764814910270872_7537133002265480358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0jNs58nyH8pTFZzrbPmUzNjltWZaXenyvuxSvCZFZnAlF6CK36wlCCKSnAEzdRgL0jADDFY8IiRjc-NCLCrwxSAhccfRAblN9hHzKYwEl2zYUKNyuw535jYgSViYB2yXM6TDO_wOoO21/s1600/10671347_764814910270872_7537133002265480358_n.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My crock pot has saved my cooking but before I met my crock pot, this was the truth!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_goWcHiy1A1-8Vt5v6V5VeWnE2IT9oQ30F09CXzkH-48ubMexmkKJkgHbY-8fIgzhyBWrIzomTutWvtVOs7YwMVB-qYzoIP73UbZSiqxakjFdYN2PXiE_geEvXtQeFIIokDzsObMvhJZ0/s1600/10945625_10153096953998343_4386869212407082367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_goWcHiy1A1-8Vt5v6V5VeWnE2IT9oQ30F09CXzkH-48ubMexmkKJkgHbY-8fIgzhyBWrIzomTutWvtVOs7YwMVB-qYzoIP73UbZSiqxakjFdYN2PXiE_geEvXtQeFIIokDzsObMvhJZ0/s1600/10945625_10153096953998343_4386869212407082367_n.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery catches me at least once a week at night with a treat when I think she's asleep. #busted</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWhZPsSd88Pxyb5T0kR20sSuXxRU_qJZUahRlp_Wn1HSp4ONA0Axi8id_-mQsrTfT-wJpuHEnjlVQWPy0d-NiRnAIlxKGISysIHHQKk6BZCkUNJm7sgP1aVFpgkO3zUIX4GvM4chEny9-/s1600/10968443_10102913382769645_828278966210110080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWhZPsSd88Pxyb5T0kR20sSuXxRU_qJZUahRlp_Wn1HSp4ONA0Axi8id_-mQsrTfT-wJpuHEnjlVQWPy0d-NiRnAIlxKGISysIHHQKk6BZCkUNJm7sgP1aVFpgkO3zUIX4GvM4chEny9-/s1600/10968443_10102913382769645_828278966210110080_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Plant hospice center" should be a sign on my door.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Moving on to Kid Photo Memes.....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU79vyRB74dQGBjNq2vIoIEddlRP7HEcN14_GCyBlMZeLmgSFETqqi38N0VB8tZgosUOicLTLI-MxPd7EMkQbw1w6-180y9Oxyq0_B3cRbKnGb2hrSC486eDwRBHoKcSrCZoXf7y1H4fLT/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU79vyRB74dQGBjNq2vIoIEddlRP7HEcN14_GCyBlMZeLmgSFETqqi38N0VB8tZgosUOicLTLI-MxPd7EMkQbw1w6-180y9Oxyq0_B3cRbKnGb2hrSC486eDwRBHoKcSrCZoXf7y1H4fLT/s1600/baby.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fact</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBRBgBB2oqa21m7ER9xXmEgV-i_M4xEL4WFe-16EQoCi5GUHAcxNZdw4Txn2pbnjdNNGh-g-YUYotBwyDIvFY2ks3zwLSeR-sEVD-8yOBjvhsaaxbNp_etwgu55xrt3AEl__9Ao4RBXDu/s1600/c6cac785cfa8eab3ce01bb879acc52875ef05fa6e6fed45846eec87a63f22fcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBRBgBB2oqa21m7ER9xXmEgV-i_M4xEL4WFe-16EQoCi5GUHAcxNZdw4Txn2pbnjdNNGh-g-YUYotBwyDIvFY2ks3zwLSeR-sEVD-8yOBjvhsaaxbNp_etwgu55xrt3AEl__9Ao4RBXDu/s1600/c6cac785cfa8eab3ce01bb879acc52875ef05fa6e6fed45846eec87a63f22fcd.jpg" height="147" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why does he assume I plan this?! I do plan meals for the week but they aren't scheduled on a day?! What's the fun in that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF7kKUr75nOOp7lUZcAwOwbIGH6KA8agCEW479BnmfrIccZ3uch4BukTly72hStBflex5p7TueMfqkji6WARR2T0UdAdqbTck9jW_yYl82I1GKG0R8RnyBrsRHp8vTDXfO_cGp3Wj0ZoA/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF7kKUr75nOOp7lUZcAwOwbIGH6KA8agCEW479BnmfrIccZ3uch4BukTly72hStBflex5p7TueMfqkji6WARR2T0UdAdqbTck9jW_yYl82I1GKG0R8RnyBrsRHp8vTDXfO_cGp3Wj0ZoA/s1600/fish.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a good Samaritan </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn9iyyKl-StOiioBCXTCyN6vnMT1E16voZla4SievucQhJ_6-_RnmuuWWOO_SRDwqc4vmeIfYTPKXVoxxgzB_b00Xo0UrJSVJvfTEx6FPkfylz1WrELkVcAKO4lZSJ2IPn3NutkKGAkmK/s1600/phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn9iyyKl-StOiioBCXTCyN6vnMT1E16voZla4SievucQhJ_6-_RnmuuWWOO_SRDwqc4vmeIfYTPKXVoxxgzB_b00Xo0UrJSVJvfTEx6FPkfylz1WrELkVcAKO4lZSJ2IPn3NutkKGAkmK/s1600/phone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">haha. This was just cute.</td></tr>
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Onto Animal Memes....</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4gnO3_ufnqpAczWYyXi1qZebBFF_QrjJ6HR64NQ8v3TiEaBdRNef1PQzh6QZFzrkQox0oCrjI9leolL85S2MUG8RwPcGWO4xrmvFpdNBRoEr3MWUrRH2AntCiLK9AZzI7oQE8fm4vKF0/s1600/1454735_823869921002743_7538121890471241653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4gnO3_ufnqpAczWYyXi1qZebBFF_QrjJ6HR64NQ8v3TiEaBdRNef1PQzh6QZFzrkQox0oCrjI9leolL85S2MUG8RwPcGWO4xrmvFpdNBRoEr3MWUrRH2AntCiLK9AZzI7oQE8fm4vKF0/s1600/1454735_823869921002743_7538121890471241653_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It happens...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7lJkKBqOcbNl4ZLX7G_rNxt1OCC4qOLTxjCsRbkRNOVmDaUPuy4mYa1subA8LjlKDmcYIIr0OQtsKoJWD_VKWFXcYXfpJfVJkvPSTaE8q1oD1eX71G4wO3VDS1PmD1hA7NT2mecCZ9rM/s1600/10448732_10206028482417943_7366752309550231055_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7lJkKBqOcbNl4ZLX7G_rNxt1OCC4qOLTxjCsRbkRNOVmDaUPuy4mYa1subA8LjlKDmcYIIr0OQtsKoJWD_VKWFXcYXfpJfVJkvPSTaE8q1oD1eX71G4wO3VDS1PmD1hA7NT2mecCZ9rM/s1600/10448732_10206028482417943_7366752309550231055_n.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea why I thought this was so funny but coffee was spilled in the process of saving this guy so I felt committed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6WdT3uNKH4APr-C-jXodVVbMn3FfkUN-VSRUqAA1whrGRvj-Yd5n4nBlF5uMsqhyphenhyphendJlfFCCZlo9JzCOhHRlk7h8TERF6AFFCE8ZRlWbIWuekyG5-Bs_GM6bSE3EttS9_2dKPoJvmyG7r/s1600/20140630-230357-83037038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6WdT3uNKH4APr-C-jXodVVbMn3FfkUN-VSRUqAA1whrGRvj-Yd5n4nBlF5uMsqhyphenhyphendJlfFCCZlo9JzCOhHRlk7h8TERF6AFFCE8ZRlWbIWuekyG5-Bs_GM6bSE3EttS9_2dKPoJvmyG7r/s1600/20140630-230357-83037038.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one COULD be mean if you're 40 and single but don't hate me... I didn't come up with the cat lady stereotype. Plus some of those guys are pretty cute.</td></tr>
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And finally.... onto random ones that I can't think of a category for...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW0qW2a7BL0SjuzbY6uYmM_ZXTQsIQNiZJK97vvWGzXLbNM3lAIzEztmT1YzB9QSE4gQeX0f6cDjOtwIMMzMMiszABzNEjcEZjqFyQb2ZuPqGRKosZEvcJ9lezNWS5iyTDSYn313fp3-C/s1600/10945666_10153096937788343_8979836887824458670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW0qW2a7BL0SjuzbY6uYmM_ZXTQsIQNiZJK97vvWGzXLbNM3lAIzEztmT1YzB9QSE4gQeX0f6cDjOtwIMMzMMiszABzNEjcEZjqFyQb2ZuPqGRKosZEvcJ9lezNWS5iyTDSYn313fp3-C/s1600/10945666_10153096937788343_8979836887824458670_n.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEVER EVER have I thrown away a Chapstick tube that was finished. They all go into the abyss with my socks and ponytail holders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqblXgCZIGUSXW-L7THz-W0XGVpal2B8OGaJPc67BOcx3WonrxpiZjUnDnpVjHziRusR7bVPC9F_jNC-whL7hL-VDdOv-ik2aaTbsyf2dv7ThReE81Gdl2JwDUNm4mGdFXP2IXgrGj2At/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqblXgCZIGUSXW-L7THz-W0XGVpal2B8OGaJPc67BOcx3WonrxpiZjUnDnpVjHziRusR7bVPC9F_jNC-whL7hL-VDdOv-ik2aaTbsyf2dv7ThReE81Gdl2JwDUNm4mGdFXP2IXgrGj2At/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me.... EVERY.TIME Oceans (Hillsongs) comes on Pandora or is played at church. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpbngI4MHhJONnQYtXWzKlXTXLJGqM6j0gz2JieL3J0c9zF5wdXqpaQww3br6jmw-AvaJyx9dFGj-UEWs_JLVRf6xoq7OzGWfD6knp8ge8jolGKnALEd1Mx3ZthEyIdp4AgRqrCHlQ7aq/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpbngI4MHhJONnQYtXWzKlXTXLJGqM6j0gz2JieL3J0c9zF5wdXqpaQww3br6jmw-AvaJyx9dFGj-UEWs_JLVRf6xoq7OzGWfD6knp8ge8jolGKnALEd1Mx3ZthEyIdp4AgRqrCHlQ7aq/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies, you're welcome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCgB_L9aggnX0v1g8TPHkImPgW2BqayJT_8UHahfe4BfpMmKB59ixrne9hQlsYXb3YCid3iGnJkK_1xylTNzXhcIIrypjYN1Uv80DIDVhOYPeQ7n0YYfJ35BcAgQzMY6LgvPe7w0jdIR9/s1600/northface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCgB_L9aggnX0v1g8TPHkImPgW2BqayJT_8UHahfe4BfpMmKB59ixrne9hQlsYXb3YCid3iGnJkK_1xylTNzXhcIIrypjYN1Uv80DIDVhOYPeQ7n0YYfJ35BcAgQzMY6LgvPe7w0jdIR9/s1600/northface.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one meme could pretty much sum up 2003-2006 at Clemson University. We all wore North Face jackets and my only adventure in said North Face was to math tutoring sessions (there were many), football games and frat/sorority parties(which I suppose could count as an adventure depending on how the night went). We all wore the same jacket in varying colors and we were AWESOME. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQF2wSNcOpQCTljEIFp3xpRmALYh0LcxwXOZmzwcOHSE_5FMVCHI1Q_5WP8Xw4yUG4jAnIISGMAVAZCYzt_8MgO4hqaxlEMtAfIbHUnoe8rH2tYZvoXHt75o6-UXdjF8RrJui2EJ0C_L/s1600/walmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQF2wSNcOpQCTljEIFp3xpRmALYh0LcxwXOZmzwcOHSE_5FMVCHI1Q_5WP8Xw4yUG4jAnIISGMAVAZCYzt_8MgO4hqaxlEMtAfIbHUnoe8rH2tYZvoXHt75o6-UXdjF8RrJui2EJ0C_L/s1600/walmart.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is so much truth to this. You might as well also throw in amusement parks.</td></tr>
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So there you have it... Friday Funnies-Meme Edition. Leave yours in the comments! </div>
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UGH... must Google more memes to add to this post so I don't have to clean!!!!</div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-56854620035795384722015-01-23T19:03:00.000-05:002015-01-23T19:03:36.304-05:00Friday FavoritesYou know what is NOT my favorite? This cold rain after 4 days in the high 60's. I suppose it is January, though. I don't know about you but I would love one good snow day. I wanna sled and build a snowman (come on let's go and play.... you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head) and then I want it to all melt and be 75 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze until summer. Is that too much to ask?<br />
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Today I thought I'd link up with some internet peeps to bring you my Friday favorites!<br />
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<b>1. SPRING TODDLER GIRL CLOTHES</b><br />
I'm in spring clothes buying mode...in January. The local boutique starts some of their spring preorders in January and I just can't help myself! <br />
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I'm loving finding some of my favorite Sweethoney dresses from last year on the facebook resell boards! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hRWy2PQq2bol9l3wooKjnyo5WqsmZwIW6MJmxyUDAXBhoVKwklurDzagVayOiDpRw9PUBX-SstNrCoFbbF79hmk1Z4J9QTKkPOwG43AHTTGcQ7okOobBXlw4wZz03KjatXNc0rjfB0lE/s1600/IMG_20150123_161932673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hRWy2PQq2bol9l3wooKjnyo5WqsmZwIW6MJmxyUDAXBhoVKwklurDzagVayOiDpRw9PUBX-SstNrCoFbbF79hmk1Z4J9QTKkPOwG43AHTTGcQ7okOobBXlw4wZz03KjatXNc0rjfB0lE/s1600/IMG_20150123_161932673.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Mustard Pie has released 2 spring lines and they are to die for! I grabbed the outfit below from <a href="http://www.theposhclosetonline.com/collections/mustard-pie-spring-2015-preorders" target="_blank">The Posh Closet</a> and I can't wait for April to put it on Miss A! <br />
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The far right dress is Matilda Jane from an older line but I am hosting an MJ party February 6th if you want to come! If you're not local, you can still order through my trunk keeper. Contact me at tlcarr7@yahoo.com if you're interested!<br />
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<b>2. Livie and Luca Pro Tempore Shoes</b><br />
Oh My Heavens. I was at our local boutique picking up the above tunic when I saw an angel of the shoe gods descend from the ceiling with a sign that said "50% off" hovering above these sparkly suede <a href="http://www.theposhclosetonline.com/search?q=tempore" target="_blank">Livie and Luca Limited Edition Pro Tempore Petals</a>...which is a heck of a name for toddler shoes.<br />
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Yes, I realize she'll only wear them until March but then I'll resell them next September for more than I paid on the Livie and Luca facebook resell boards. I kid you not. People go crazy for these things. I bought them in aqua and marigold.... my Paypal account appreciates the violet and gray were out of stock in her size. They're 50% off right now, making them $30 but you need an online code to get that price. Call the boutique linked above and they'll give it to you or refund you the difference :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course it rained today... so I put the marigold ones on her anyways and carried her everywhere. I wish I were kidding.</td></tr>
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<b>3. Spring Bathing Suits... for toddlers.... I'm not ready to see myself in one yet!</b><br />
There is a new brand that I'm scared to tell you about because it's still easy to buy and a great price for boutique quality. I feel like if I spread the good news, you'll buy my size, making it harder to get. So, promise not to go buy anything in a 2T or 3T but for the rest of you, check out <a href="http://eleanorrose.com/" target="_blank">Eleanor Rose! </a>They're a sister company of Kelly's Kids (yes the clothes our moms dressed us in when we were 6 to match our siblings) but they're adorable! I'm LOVING their bathing suit line coming soon! Follow them on instagram for all the sneak peaks of what's coming! <br />
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<a href="https://www.kellyskids.com/Order.asp?InvDispSubCatID=568" target="_blank">Kelly's Kids</a> also knocked it out of the park with this fabric! In true Kelly's Kids fashion, there is also a matching bikini, boy's swim trunk, t-shirt and mommy & me cover ups. <br />
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For days when we're in the sun for long periods of time, these <a href="http://swimzip.com/collections/girls/products/sail-away-long-sleeve-rash-guard-set" target="_blank">Swim Zip</a> bathing suits are awesome! Not as pretty as the first 2 but definitely functional and a must have for babies! They have a lot of patterns to choose from plus they were on Shark Tank... which makes you want to buy it even more, doesn't it?!<br />
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So are ALL of my favorite things today toddler clothes related? No... but they should be because they're so darn cute! I could literally make this entire blog about toddler girl's fashion while I am wearing patterned leggings and a Target sweatshirt/tunic and boots that I found on clearance at Rack Room so I'm not sure I'm qualified on the subject! <br />
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<b>4. Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Paint</b><br />
Painters come next week to paint THE WHOLE HOUSE. No, not our new one, the one we're STILL trying to sell. We're hoping all new paint and turn key status will sway buyers to pull the trigger! My mom's neighbor happens to be a home stagger so she came Thursday to give me some ideas. This was her suggestion for our bathroom and I'm now in love. I may never leave my bathroom once the muddy brown is replaced with this....<br />
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<b>5. M&M Ice Cream Sandwiches</b><br />
These may be the very reason I'm not ready for bathing suit season!<br />
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They're on sale this week at Harris Teeter and I don't care how old you are, these things are delicious.... and terrible for you but so delicious it makes it worth it. #treatyourself<br />
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What are you loving this week? Post here or on the comments section on facebook!<br />
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Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-83869670987502867682015-01-16T15:18:00.001-05:002015-01-16T15:18:58.822-05:00Dear LettersBack by popular demand....<br />
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Confession... I had to reset my blog password just to log on... it's been awhile and I make no apologies for it. We are living life in a very real way...homeschooling, play dates with friends, trying to sell our house and compulsively cleaning. Did I mention we're trying to sell our house?<br />
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That brings me to today's post... a rambling list of passive aggressive letters that I have no intentions to actually mail to the offenders but need to write because they're festering and what better way to do that than to do it publicly for you to enjoy and hopefully share some of your own! <br />
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<b>Dear whole world,</b><br />
We have a wonderfully, darling family home. Could someone buy it already? Yes it needs paint... paint that I'm offering to pay for. It even comes complete with a crew to accomplish said task and you get to pick the color. What more could you want? Granite? Got it. New Floors? Already done. Freshly laid tile? Yep. Irrigation? Check. Sod? Freshly laid last summer. I mean for the love of marshmallows, people. I've resorted to making cookies, setting up a coffee bar and offering bottles of water. Would you like a cheese plate? I'll do it.<br />
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<b>Dear Neighbors,</b><br />
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh wait... that was like 22 days ago and yet Snoopy, Mickey Mouse and every other inflatable and mismatched Christmas light you could find on sale still remains in your "yard." That's right... air quotes... because yard is a very loose term for what is in front of some of your houses. I think it's time to "let it go" possibly forever and invest in some nice garland and white lights that are removed by Epiphany...or January 2nd if I had it my way. It's not like I'm trying to sell my house or anything... thanks for the help. This should serve as your notice that by Feb 1st should they not be removed... I'm very sorry to hear that someone stole them overnight. That's just horrible.<br />
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<b>Dear people on facebook who suggest locking your children in their rooms,</b><br />
That's right. I wish I were kidding. Twice this week on different friend's statuses did I see people suggest to lock their toddlers in their rooms at night. You have a CHILD... not a puppy. They have emotional needs so yeah... sometimes they get out of bed because they need the comfort of their parents. So your child has a bad dream, they try to come find you for comfort but they can't because you've locked them in a room.. They get sick in the middle of the night, they try to come find you but they're locked in their room so they sleep in puke. Sound awful and mean? Well you're right... it is. <br />
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I'm not saying "co-sleep" (although we allow our children to come into our bed if they wake up) but I am saying be available. Toddlers are hard. I get it... but so is reversing emotional damage you've caused your children by your inability to do your job. You're parents 24/7... not from 6am-8pm or whatever hours you decide to clock out. It doesn't work that way. Quit locking your children away like dogs or Disney Princesses. When they're out of the house, I doubt you'll look back any of these long nights and wish that time away. <br />
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<b>Dear high school drivers,</b><br />
Did you know that you can get from point A to point B without your phone in your hand? Shocking, I know. I was at a stop light this week when high school let out. I counted 13 cars in a row pull out of the HS parking lot where the kids had their phone in hand. The 14th had a SUPER SWEET new ride and I can only assume he was on Bluetooth. It is also possible to make a turn without peeling out. Your tires may even last longer... you should give it a try. In addition, did you know that the crazy lady who yells at you to slow down in a neighborhood actually means it? Clearly you don't think I'm serious since you do it DAILY but fun fact.... my road is actually not a runway and no matter how fast you drive, you will not take flight. It's disappointing, I know.<br />
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<b>Dear people on Facebook "market sites",</b><br />
I too love a bargain but no, I will not meet you 20 minutes away to sell you a $2 book. I think these sites may be more of a hassle than it's worth!<br />
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<b>Dear Realtors,</b><br />
When you no show, it's rude.... and I'd be lying if it doesn't ruin my day. It's not like I haven't cleaned for hours, made cookies, brewed coffee, packed up my menagerie and driven around in my swagger wagon for 2 hours so you could come or anything.We love showings! .... when you show up. Oh and feedback, fill it out.... and be tactful, I do have feelings. For the % commission you make (which seriously makes me ill), at least show up, fill out feedback and eat a damn cookie.<br />
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<b>Dear body,</b><br />
We don't turn 30 for another month... what's up with the sudden slow down in metabolism and crows feet? Let's not rush this aging thing. <br />
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Well there ya go. I feel lighter. :) Post your passive-agressive "Dear Letters" here or in the comments section on facebook.<br />
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Remember this is a NO JUDGEMENT ZONE... kinda. I mean.... it is the internet. <br />
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...and it's been a sweet forever since I logged on, look how much P&A have grown! They're like little people now... no more babies (Yay? Tear? ...depends on the day)<br />
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Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-51058372763394150872014-08-19T16:44:00.000-04:002014-08-19T16:44:22.910-04:00Back to School 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
Could it be?! A new blog post? Maybe this time I'll get on a roll and stick with it... maybe.</div>
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It's that time of year! Back to school! Last year we sent the kids to preschool. Avery went 2 days and Parker went 4 days. This year, Parker is old enough to go to Kindergarten but we had decided to hold him back and do TK (transitional kindergarten). Avery was going to do preschool 4 days a week but our hearts never felt comfortable with this decision. After a lot of prayer and research, we pulled both kids off the preschool registration list and registered our playroom as a home school! </div>
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We have chosen "My Father's World" Kindergarten curriculum for Parker along with some supplementary math, science, writing and reading to mix it up. We'll do Kindergarten this year and hopefully keep up with the pace so he can start 1st grade next year but if we need to take it at a slower pace, then we have that freedom. Avery is participating in a good number of his activities currently as well as doing some preschool workbooks, activities, and educational games during school time. She has the attention span of a squirrel so keeping her engaged seems to be our goal right now!</div>
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We started half pace homeschooling 2 or 3 weeks ago to get our minds dusted off and started full pace today. So far, so good... minus one epic brawl over who got to put together the elephant during the magnet shapes/color/critical thinking game. Should you be wondering, Avery won. Parker went for the head with his fist but Avery brought the nails to the face which wins every time. </div>
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Even though I wasn't sending my kids off to traditional school this morning, I <i>still</i> made them snap a few 1st day of school pictures. Last year I would have fought Parker to not wear his Spiderman costume but this year, I've chilled out a lot. If letting him dress himself means our mornings start off on the right foot, then sure.... wear lime green and red. Pajama shirt with plaid shorts? Love it. A Spiderman costume? Awesome. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSw9EH7vszS7m1UyubF_NsM4v7FBTeTvN7rH1wbDN5_Fur1nZ8Hqu2vEVXPy8bMWrB7U5mgjdoZqAXlf-JIdYEFL1r4TmEstlUuRviSbrG1-EglRWHPGkkn78p-5FTcJV5K8nG12kK_96/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSw9EH7vszS7m1UyubF_NsM4v7FBTeTvN7rH1wbDN5_Fur1nZ8Hqu2vEVXPy8bMWrB7U5mgjdoZqAXlf-JIdYEFL1r4TmEstlUuRviSbrG1-EglRWHPGkkn78p-5FTcJV5K8nG12kK_96/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014. When he grows up, he wants to be Spiderman! Shocking, I know. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013. When he grows up, he wants to be Iron Man!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012. He wants to be a cow when he grows up! haha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014. When she grows up, she wants to be Avery! I have a feeling, she'll succeed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013. When she grows up, she wants to be Parker!</td></tr>
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It took a few tries to get Parker to take his mask off. Otherwise this would have been this year's back to school picture.</div>
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I suppose it is a true portrayal of where we are in life right now!</div>
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After our back to school mini photo shoot, Avery and played in the driveway in a slightly misty rain while Parker stood in the doorway all sorts of upset that we were getting wet in our clothes. #sensorykidproblems</div>
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This little lady is so full of life and such a ham! I thank God every day for these 2 precious treasures that I get to spend my days with! Seeing everyone's back to school pictures this morning in the 6 and 7 oclock hours made me SO thankful that we've chosen to home school! Wise Academy starts after breakfast... which they eat after they wake up at their leisure. Can I get an Amen?!</div>
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I hope your back to school days have been/will be great as well!</div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-40551792288570354992014-03-25T17:41:00.000-04:002014-03-25T17:41:03.454-04:00Natural Bloom Photography Shoot<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait to share Parker's birthday party pictures with you but I know that's going to be a lengthier post so until there is time, I wanted to share some fun pictures a local photographer took. </div>
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Remember the <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2014/02/midweekish-confessions.html" target="_blank">lady I met in Old Navy</a> that I overwhelmed with my "shocking enthusiasm" for all things photography? Well, we met up one morning 2 weeks ago and snapped a few springy pictures for the photographer's media pieces. It was the day after daylight savings so we were a little off on the "good light" but still got quite a few keepers. </div>
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It was a tad chillier than we had hoped since winter just doesn't seem to want to let go but Avery was a trooper for the most part. It's amazing what bubbles, balls and whacking your head with a stick while dancing behind the photographer will get you!</div>
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I love this <a href="http://www.persnicketyclothing.com/" target="_blank">Persnickety</a> outfit! Girl clothes are SO fun! </div>
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This is Avery's default face... we see this face MANY times during the day. Sassy little thing!</div>
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I picked Avery up to change her outfit and she latched on like a Koala... could be because it was like 40 degrees. Thankfully, any time Avery has a photoshoot, I always coordinate in case I need to be in any pictures to get her to smile or keep her safe (ie, heights, in a tree etc...) </div>
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I love my sweet girl!</div>
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I finally got the little booger changed but she wouldn't let me put her down! I certainly didn't mind the snuggles :)</div>
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This floral dress is from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CheekyPlum" target="_blank">Cheeky Plum</a> on facebook. They have sales as they have inventory but you better be fast! They sell out in minutes! A similar company I've also been purchasing from lately is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SweetHoneyClothing" target="_blank">SweetHoney</a>. Their outfits sell out in 1 minute or less.... literally! It gets my heart pumping... so really, online shopping with them is basically cardio! Check them out... or don't.... I wouldn't want you decreasing my chances of scoring one of these pretty frocks! </div>
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Target of all places is rocking it out this spring with adorable little girl shoes! </div>
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I hope she always lets me hold her like this. When I'm 60, I hope my 34 year old daughter will let me pick her up and she'll snuggle into my neck. You think I'm kidding... </div>
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It wouldn't be a photoshoot with a 2 year old without an outtake or 12....</div>
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Sorry I'm not sorry for photo overload. I'll never get tired of blasting this blog with pictures of my treasures from heaven! </div>
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If you're in the Charlotte area and are looking for an affordable family photographer, check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NaturalBloomPhotography" target="_blank">Natural Bloom Photography! </a></div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-41845695374776225262014-03-14T23:01:00.001-04:002014-03-14T23:01:16.302-04:00The Witching Hours<div style="text-align: center;">
4pm until bath time at 6:30 used to be our witching hours. I dreaded them. The kids were whiny, I was trying to make dinner and do a last minute clean up before Daniel came home from work and by the time he did come home, I was tapped out. That is exactly how I felt most days at 4pm, Avery... distraught. </div>
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But as the kids have gotten older, those witching hours have become less frequent (with the exception of tonight! haha) and I'm finding myself really enjoying late afternoons with the kids.</div>
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We've had a few sneak peaks lately of spring weather and we've spent what was once our witching hours on the walking trails, playing fairies in the woods, snapping pictures in new spring clothes and swinging at the park while the crock pot makes dinner for us!</div>
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It sure beats cooking dinner with 2 kids crying at your feet because you put on the wrong Barney episode because they asked for the one with a dog but there are like 13 dog episodes and you have no idea which one is the "dog episode" they want but it so obviously is not this one...someone has a potty accident while your hands are covered in Parmesan bread crumbs and egg <span style="color: #0000ee;">yokes</span> for the dinner you've promised your husband because he has been so gracious to eat the chicken nuggets you've microwaved him for 2 nights straight... someone spills water all over the kitchen trying to self serve himself water that he's asked for 12 times but you're too busy cleaning poop off the couch when your husband walks in and asks "How was your day?" </div>
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At that point you basically want to cry or maybe you do because you've tried so hard and it looks like you've failed... big time. Sound familiar? Well guess what....</div>
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You know those obnoxious middle age ladies with college kids who tell you every. single. time you go to the grocery store to savor every moment because it will pass?</div>
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They're right. It does. They do pass.</div>
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They quit wanting to watch Barney {thank you Jesus!}, they learn to poop in the potty, they quit spilling drinks quite so frequently and your husband will, in fact, survive on chicken nuggets until you can get it together enough to cook an actual meal.</div>
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The savoring part.... I'm not sure you can truly savor those tough moments until they're gone or less frequent but I've certainly learned to laugh at them. The tantrums that used to leave me in a tizzy, now make me giggle because they're fleeting and few and far between. I can't say we'll miss them because those tantrums have turned into toddler sass which will likely prove to be equally as challenging...or dare I say hilarious. Just listen to what these tiny humans say with their dramatic hand gestures! It's so hard to take anything seriously. </div>
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So next time you have to walk out of Target with a crying toddler under your arm because you won't buy her a $40 owl treehouse or even the beaver family accessory pack... yes that does actually exist and yes this did happen tonight... take a deep breath and giggle at the hilarity of it all because those grocery store ladies who smile at my tearful toddlers who can't seem to cope with the Harris Teeter cookie box being moved from the front door into the deli are right...</div>
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It's gonna pass....</div>
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... and those witching hours are going to turn into frog hunting by the creek, playing fairies in the moss beds and bike riding at dusk.</div>
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Today, if you carried a toddler out of a store under your arm, your husband came home to a greasy haired wife wearing a days worth of spit up, frozen pizza is for dinner again and you haven't a clue what's going on in the Middle East but you're fully up to date on all things Bubble Guppies.... take heart! There is light at the end of the tunnel!</div>
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I can see it! I promise it's there! Hang in there, mama!</div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-25247008701987087642014-03-13T16:19:00.000-04:002014-03-13T16:19:39.569-04:00Worth it?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Yesterday it was so windy that when Avery and I tried to walk Ivy, she physically couldn't walk straight. Bless her 2 pound heart but I just couldn't be inside! The crisp breeze was just warm enough to give me visions of summer days spent on the lake. It's so close I can smell the sunscreen! Of course, today, I'm back in a bedazzled sweater because this weather just can't make up it's mind but I promise, warm days are here to stay soon... all the ads in my inbox for bikini sales aren't letting me forget! </div>
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Speaking of bikinis... or in my case these days... tankinis.... remember when <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2014/03/facts-random-ramblings-and-questions.html" target="_blank">I wrote a post</a> about how I'm seriously considering buy a long sleeve, Duggar Family style, Lands End because I'm apparently now middle age, swim top? Well, I wasn't kidding. My new found affection for not getting cancer...again... made me think of a friend of mine who is passionate about this very subject! </div>
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I met Cayce through my husband who worked some with her husband doing computer things that I don't understand but I DO know what they ate for lunch. You've heard of ladies who lunch? Well they are men who lunch... on wings and other man food. Cayce is a blond, curly headed, avid runner and cyclist so we're pretty much the same person.... except completely opposite... but we have 3 major things in common. We love God, our families and are cancer survivors. I asked Cayce to share her story because, frankly, we all need this reminder with warm, sunny days ahead... and because a friend told me she went to the tanning bed the other day... you know who you are!!!! </div>
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I’ve always had a penchant for talking no matter the
subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy a good debate because I
love going head to head with an opponent in a good, hearty argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it wasn’t until the last 8 years that I
truly began to feel like I had a platform from which I could share, and share
passionately, about a cause in which I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truly</i></b> believe.</div>
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I spent the first 5 years of my life in Orlando, FL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all but lived on the water doing
everything water related; swimming, fishing, sunbathing, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I wasn’t on a boat, I was running around
the yard in a bathing suit, or shorts and tank top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have blond hair, blue eyes, and very fair
skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I barely remember a time that I
wasn’t “sun kissed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I very clearly
recall many blistering sunburns, the pain they caused, and my mother rubbing me
down with aloe from our very own aloe plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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As a young teenager, my sister and I would slather on
baby oil and lay in the sun for HOURS!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She always walked away feeling satisfied with her bronzed skin; I walked
away hopeful that after the blisters appeared and my skin itched and peeled,
that I would have at least a tiny little something to show for all the misery
that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> would surely come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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When I got my driver’s license, the first thing on my
agenda was to visit the tanning bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
of my friends were going and had a base tan that seemed to help them in a
couple of ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, it seemed
to help their popularity status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Considering I was average and often overlooked (I wasn’t an athlete, I
wasn’t exceptionally smart or good looking), I firmly believed that getting
that elusive tan would help me get noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secondly, their base tan seemed to helped them get even MORE tan when
they laid out in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to be popular AND
tan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hardly wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started small; I laid in the tanning bed
once a week for just a few minutes, but increased my time with each visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take long to see results, but it
wasn’t exactly the effect I was going for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of a golden glow, I looked more like a strawberry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the redness faded, I was just as white
as before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people would have given
it up, but not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
determined!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept going to the tanning
bed and worked my way up to the full 20 minute time limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, the end result was the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed a nice shade of red for longer than
I can remember, and never acquired that infamous base tan I’d heard my friends
brag about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I wasn’t laying in the
tanning bed I was still slathering on the baby oil and laying out in the
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can very distinctly remember
driving to my aunt’s house, pulling out a big quilt and an AM/FM radio, and
laying out with her for hours just singing our hearts out and getting baked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good times.</div>
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In November 2004, I was engaged to be married, and was at
David’s Bridal trying on a wedding dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I turned around to check out the back and the train, I noticed a dark
spot about the size of a pencil eraser right in the middle of my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My biggest concern came more from vanity than
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made an appointment with a
dermatologist, and he didn’t seem too worried about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, he was just going to leave it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At my request he went ahead and removed the
spot and sent it off for a biopsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
parting words to me were, “No news is good news.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than two weeks later, he called to tell
me that my biopsy results were back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melanoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My world stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea what it all
meant, but I knew cancer wasn’t good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
turned to my trusty friend Google.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t recommend that, by the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ultimately, I was very lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had surgery to remove all of the tissue around the tumor site and a handful of
lymph nodes removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My melanoma was
caught early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years later, the
matriarch of my family, my Granny, wouldn’t be so fortunate. </div>
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In December 2008, Granny went to the doctor for what
appeared to be an infected wound on the bottom of her foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a series of antibiotics, antifungal
medications and debridement treatments failed to work, she had a biopsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the results came back, we were
floored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melanoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She underwent a relatively new procedure at
Duke University Hospital in May 2009 and we felt like she was on her way to
recovering, but by September she just wasn’t feeling very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her doctor admitted her to the hospital and
on the morning of Thursday, September 17<sup>th</sup> she was taken down for a
PET scan to determine if her cancer had spread and how far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That evening her oncologist delivered
unimaginable news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The melanoma had metastasized
throughout her body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the PET
scan lit up like a Christmas tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Granny, 78 years young, had just weeks to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On September 27, 2009 at 3:15 AM, the
strongest woman I knew took her last breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Somewhere in the course of my grief, I knew that I
couldn’t be silent anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you spend
enough time around me, you quickly learn that my passion is Melanoma
Awareness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the most preventable
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to <a href="http://www.skincancer.org/">www.skincancer.org</a>, just one indoor
tanning session increases a users’ chances of developing melanoma by 20%, and
each additional session during the same year boosts the risk almost another
2%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who first use a tanning bed
before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by a whopping 75%!</div>
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On average, one person dies of melanoma every 57
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Survivors of melanoma are about
nine times as likely as the general population to develop a new melanoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or
she has had more than five sunburns, and one or more blistering sunburns in
childhood or adolescence more than double a person’s chance of developing
melanoma later in life.</div>
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I visit the dermatologist every 6 months, and likely will
continue to do so for the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My doctor knows me by name now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have had more biopsies than I can count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was recently diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and underwent a
procedure to remove all of that cancerous tissue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my life, for the REST of my life.</div>
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I read an article recently that was written by a young
woman who is dying from melanoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her
story she matter-of-factly stated that she paid to be in the position she’s
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That really resonated with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid to hear the words “You have
melanoma.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave you with this
final thought:</div>
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Would you pay for breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or
colon cancer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why pay for melanoma?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protect the skin you’re in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the only skin you get.</div>
Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-39769365708904600342014-03-04T11:47:00.000-05:002014-03-04T11:47:48.554-05:00Facts, Random Ramblings and QuestionsI have a whole bunch of random things to blog so I figured we'd call this post "Fact"... all random and factual things swimming around in my head.<br />
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Fact 1: The "Pandora Hillsong" channel is killin' it this morning. Swiffering my floors has been a spiritual experience this morning.<br />
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Fact 2: Avery started calling me "mom." I'm really missing the extra "m y." Thankfully, my almost 5 year old is still hanging tight to "mommy." They can call me that when they're 45 and I will be delighted.<br />
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Fact 3: I cannot for the life of me make my new floors look clean without streaks. Help me out. What's the best way to clean dark laminate wood floors?<br />
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Fact 4: We removed all of Parker's car seat pieces to clean it after our backroads mountain car sickness extravaganza and I JUST put it back together a week later because it is wildly overwhelming and too many parts. Thankfully, I can still squish him into our extra Britax convertible but good night those things are a PAIN to clean. I wish there was a car seat cleaning, putting back together and installing service. I would pay good money for that. Thank God for You Tube videos on how to do darn near anything.<br />
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Fact 5: My neighbor's tree dumps like 9 million acorns and leaves all over our backyard and our neighborhood squirrels didn't even put a dint in them. The best way I could find to remove said acorns is $395 which seems a lot to eradicate my neighbor's acorns. I tried making it a game called "squirrel" for Avery but she only lasted 7 acorns. Do I ask my neighbor's property management company to cut the branches that fall over our property line? Ask for them to pay for said $395 acorn remover? Or do nothing while begrudgingly removing them? (Note: my neighbors are SUPER sweet but renters so it isn't their decision)<br />
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Fact 6: I am seriously considering buying this <a href="http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-polka-dot-crew-swim-cover-up-tee/id_261049" target="_blank">swim shirt</a>. Is that super dorky? Too Duggar family? I'm thinking it may be nice for chillier pool days and for skin cancer concerns. I mean, lets be honest... it's a big jump from bikini to long sleeve swim shirt but I think it's kinda cute and super practical! Thoughts? I know Cayce B will be ALL FOR this shirt and it comes in other patterns, albeit some are a bit matronly. <br />
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Fact 7: I'm in a pretty serious dilemma... I LOVE having 1 Dr. Pepper a day... 2 if the kids are driving me nutso and I need a few blissful, bubbly non-alcoholic moments. BUT. and it's a big but... or maybe butt.... hehe... I drop 4ish pounds every time I quit the DP. We're going on a cruise in May and I wanna look <strike>not bad</strike> good. So... do I quit the DP and loose 4ish pounds or keep the DP and wear aforementioned long sleeve swim shirt? Pretty big life decision right there.<br />
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Fact 8: Y'all need to answer these questions for me. No really. Comment here on the blog or on facebook. ;) <br />
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-78211646179713958162014-02-27T10:56:00.001-05:002014-02-27T10:56:38.313-05:00Midweekish ConfessionsGood morning! I slept about 11 hours last night after driving to the mountains, snow tubing for less than an hour and driving back. It was MUCH needed rest and I feel much more refreshed today. My whole family slept on the car ride home and since I'm the "rallier" of the family, I drove back, the whole time jealous of their sweet slumber. Who knew snow tubing for about 45 minutes would be so exhausting?<br />
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Lets do some confessing!<br />
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1. A random lady walked up to Avery and I at Old Navy the other week and asked if she could use Avery for a photoshoot for her photography business media pieces. She was super nice so I gave her my information. She touched based with me and in my excitement about springy pictures, I sent her endlessly long FB messages about ideas, outfits etc... Hi my name is Taylor and I like to wildly overwhelm people. It took her about 2 weeks to respond to me and she thanked me for my "shocking enthusiasm." Whoops. <br />
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2. While I got ready this morning to take the kids to preschool, Avery self served a super healthy breakfast of a fudgesicle. I have obviously instilled very healthy eating habits into my children. <br />
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3. I had a clean clothes pile waiting to be folded and a dirty clothes pile in my room. They have merged and now I'm not sure which is which.... so I've done nothing instead. I am mostly writing this blog to avoid said laundry.<br />
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4. You have to be 3 to go snow tubing so we taught Avery that when people ask her how old she is, she needs to say "3." I know... stellar parenting. Fortunately, she usually answers "8" because LEGO junior builder boxes say ages 4-8 and Parker says he's 4 and Avery can be 8 so she can play too. That way, my 2 year old isn't lying about her age, her 29 year old mother is. SO much better.<br />
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5. I bought Parker Avenger bed sheets the other day (something I said I'd NEVER DO!) because when I wash his sheets, I have to put them back on the top bunk before bed and without Daniel, that's SUPER difficult. I literally fell backwards into the LEGO table last week while Daniel was out of town trying to put clean sheets on this darn bed. Parker was SO excited about his Avenger sheets that he asked to go to bed an hour before bedtime. I'm going to try it with Avery. I don't even care what the sheets look like if it gets that child to go to bed an hour early and with enthusiasm. <br />
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<b>And the winner is...</b><br />
6. I had my hair cut at a salon called "Pretty Little Thang" this morning. You see, my split ends were getting out of control so this morning after preschool drop off, I went to my usual hair place (and by usual I mean, I go there 3 times a year because I don't properly take care of my hair and wait until it is downright awful to be cut). I walked in, sat down and started looking at hair magazines but they weren't the look I was going for. Bless my obivilous heart. I was called to the chair and this SUPER friendly older gentleman asked me how I wanted my hair done. I told him just a nice trim to get the dead ends off and he looked confused but rolled with it. He immediately began talking to me and we chatted it up for a while about his son, the state of Montana and how Indian Trail was once goat fields. I don't have a clue about any of those 3 subjects so I smiled and listened. He was SO friendly!<br />
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It took me a solid 30 minutes to realize that every station had those super hot curlers, that he was brushing my hair with a pick and that all of the pictures on the wall were featuring different braiding and styling techniques.<br />
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That is correct my friends, I had my hair cut at "Pretty Little Thang" the neighborhood African American braiding and styling salon. At the end he told me "I don't have this kind of cut on my menu so how does $15 sound?" Umm... it sounds great thank you very much. Despite some unusual techniques and his lack of a curling iron that wouldn't burn my hair off, I actually REALLY like the cut. He was super friendly and for the price of Great Clips, I just may be his only 3 times a year white client. <br />
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Who's got some confessing to do today? <br />
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-36189154684399958552014-02-21T15:02:00.001-05:002014-02-21T15:02:17.981-05:00Birthdays, Balloons and Butts<div style="text-align: center;">
1 week ago we were covered in 12 inches of snow and yesterday I wore shorts and a short sleeve shirt. I LOVE living in North Carolina! Today the windows are cracked, the doors are open and I'm soaking in the musty post thunderstorm smell. Our local weather man forecasted more cold weather next week but I'm choosing to not believe him. </div>
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My Goddaughter, Makenna's, 2nd birthday is just around the corner and yesterday morning was her 2 year photoshoot. Her mom had a bunch of balloons blown up for the pictures so yesterday afternoon, we decided to take the kids to a local neighborhood clubhouse and snap more pictures of the kids playing with the balloons because we were gonna get her $20 out of those balloon gosh darn it. Helium is expensive these days, y'all! </div>
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The birthday girl. Isn't she the cutest?!</div>
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As soon as Tabitha told me what colors the balloons were, I knew exactly what outfit Avery could wear to coordinate! A girl's gotta coordinate with her friend's birthday color scheme, right?!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really mom, we're taking MORE pictures? I don't know how I feel about this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEzlp18dCkMUfFEYUgxPkOorM6DpjS1x3BQu5S_sFLob9jXV2fdtlfT4FZAJS24ymKTBUOveaTM-Ye8P92I6ZJt_HOqwwf4iRmifejQpcoUB6sIhHxIwppHktq6-TvMxX8AgjDFdCPBtc/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEzlp18dCkMUfFEYUgxPkOorM6DpjS1x3BQu5S_sFLob9jXV2fdtlfT4FZAJS24ymKTBUOveaTM-Ye8P92I6ZJt_HOqwwf4iRmifejQpcoUB6sIhHxIwppHktq6-TvMxX8AgjDFdCPBtc/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddlers and Tiaras are calling... they want their pose back. Why she poses like this, I do not know but it's hilarious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKitbCWpatgUp3AJo-NsmObpQo_bGsU3AzXNenWgJOgUwdTL1I24-u2Y4DaoR4gXe7NeAThwgQdsUB99USa08x2jfFE2G9b7IWP-YlUQEbr8tdzZjUl8ZzHTktj5OCoENxNCLJut6w9bEY/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKitbCWpatgUp3AJo-NsmObpQo_bGsU3AzXNenWgJOgUwdTL1I24-u2Y4DaoR4gXe7NeAThwgQdsUB99USa08x2jfFE2G9b7IWP-YlUQEbr8tdzZjUl8ZzHTktj5OCoENxNCLJut6w9bEY/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love her!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Parker had a blast climbing the rocks and taunting me with coming as close as he could to falling in the pond. </div>
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I kept asking him to turn around so I could get a picture of his face and not is hiney. He thought that was hilarious so I got about 15 pictures like this:</div>
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How fitting is it that this photo sequence is to commemorate turning 2? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyneb4ey7lMogMJqQNvtQ9xC_uXXkPsRCVWm6cRID1YJyt2uylNZyVcerBxlALem9Pudp7hfLdV_qetTXq2w_6aDu9C6ZkXaWidIkgsH_2gyJRLFqfANAxvsav9YO9-1KfhhX8ExbDKUY7/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyneb4ey7lMogMJqQNvtQ9xC_uXXkPsRCVWm6cRID1YJyt2uylNZyVcerBxlALem9Pudp7hfLdV_qetTXq2w_6aDu9C6ZkXaWidIkgsH_2gyJRLFqfANAxvsav9YO9-1KfhhX8ExbDKUY7/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jCf-LqbSEt6t7RoYZLrare5iq7JW16mFRKafHoZ7bglBDdj11ixRuerkcPFdJvoszA104-ZFOKzLtSC4h6OscqLY23mq18NOEFNZRtXh0zkxKeCTo1ymCKFmochEapbuLDROqV0FrFBD/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jCf-LqbSEt6t7RoYZLrare5iq7JW16mFRKafHoZ7bglBDdj11ixRuerkcPFdJvoszA104-ZFOKzLtSC4h6OscqLY23mq18NOEFNZRtXh0zkxKeCTo1ymCKFmochEapbuLDROqV0FrFBD/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I die. She even threw in a "no mine!" which makes it even more awesome! Welcome to your 2's, Makenna! No wonder why her parents call her "sassy!" </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sUvmck21Pe9kBTT-8cdBMidmBGcs2Dzja3zD4CoiBVFPPMHEM1YJMpfby1RQR_0eKxfs6I2mCzLlfNEP5Td_42Y6pZZZVKrzES-eP_MDcm8cCDXWSZqCs0UVRBqI31GN8VkBuZ8uv1B1/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sUvmck21Pe9kBTT-8cdBMidmBGcs2Dzja3zD4CoiBVFPPMHEM1YJMpfby1RQR_0eKxfs6I2mCzLlfNEP5Td_42Y6pZZZVKrzES-eP_MDcm8cCDXWSZqCs0UVRBqI31GN8VkBuZ8uv1B1/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe Makenna is 10 months younger? They look the same size!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy 2nd birthday, sweet Makenna! We are so blessed to live 2 doors down from you and live life with your family!</div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-35516052583477221832014-02-14T21:55:00.000-05:002014-02-14T21:55:33.974-05:00snOMG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />Happy Valentine's Day, friends! This isn't a holiday we celebrate too much but I do like any excuse to buy myself some grocery store flowers :)</div>
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We gave the kids a cupcake and a balloon and you would have thought it was Christmas. It's the simple things, isn't it?</div>
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The highlight of my day was leaving the house! After 4 days of being snowed in with 12 inches of snow, I was SO excited to buy groceries and see people. I ran out of Dr. Pepper on day 1, wine on day 2 and ice cream on day 3 so by day 4.... I was running on actually healthy food and very little sugar... it was a sad affair. My 1st stop in Harris Teeter was to the L*O*N*G but oh so worth it Starbucks line. After some straightening up and putting away our bulky snow clothes, I headed out to the mall to hit up the Gymboree sale. 50% off already on sale items for big boys and girls... the baby sale starts Tuesday. Whoop Whoop! We may have snow on the ground but my mind is on 80 degree days ahead! {and a cruise we are seriously considering booking and I might pee my pants I'm so exited!}</div>
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We don't get much snow in North Carolina but when we do, our state shuts down. Everyone runs to the store to buy bread, milk, soup and wine. Seriously... it sells out. I stocked up, but obviously not very well, on the essentials and we were ready for the flurries. I was shocked at how fast it accumulated! I don't think I've ever seen this much snow in Charlotte. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjDDO-QHkyh2okeX8PeARvjGWrscAEScFkvG_Xkf7WdjFhsCJyJZRNnwl94XxfLacZzyGIMMgJdXg-9iXSgOvCtxyjjqWIksHTv63Wj8BT0WP1ZWCDGZKiWRFR5jQXHpWVt_EhD_XQwIM/s1600/IMG_20140211_160818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjDDO-QHkyh2okeX8PeARvjGWrscAEScFkvG_Xkf7WdjFhsCJyJZRNnwl94XxfLacZzyGIMMgJdXg-9iXSgOvCtxyjjqWIksHTv63Wj8BT0WP1ZWCDGZKiWRFR5jQXHpWVt_EhD_XQwIM/s1600/IMG_20140211_160818.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the 1st day. We didn't have much snow yet but we couldn</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'t wait to sled!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpUtjSJic4L5lIXTIp9SJ9yJCqpwXUJW216mvfNnKVd1qh1zlVbpHvhj8NLntrucJA3PApD9EtJAk5butnmZyodlyq-cvTWHsTi7QxcerDoSShYFe7RncOvX2uByFt_5uGTfUCWrZRpLy/s1600/IMG_20140211_161858364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpUtjSJic4L5lIXTIp9SJ9yJCqpwXUJW216mvfNnKVd1qh1zlVbpHvhj8NLntrucJA3PApD9EtJAk5butnmZyodlyq-cvTWHsTi7QxcerDoSShYFe7RncOvX2uByFt_5uGTfUCWrZRpLy/s1600/IMG_20140211_161858364.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery is slightly obsessed with the movie "Frozen." Message me if you want to know how to watch it! It's leaked online but I don't want to post where in case I get in trouble! I can't tell you how many times she has sang me the line "Do you want to build a snowman?" the last few days. We have made many... and they're all named Olaf.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMTTmIlV_GCGgmb2JmWvPMfy0n02vr2XA6mItKwXFesaFly0La2niu8ajfV-BahgeIx1pCuEv_IQjWdGy3_kPC_fWOl0uHjTfxDZmi-fmqKe2UIevd3i15sOPDHOXHx0Cv2yqcVUKOj82/s1600/IMG_20140212_131740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMTTmIlV_GCGgmb2JmWvPMfy0n02vr2XA6mItKwXFesaFly0La2niu8ajfV-BahgeIx1pCuEv_IQjWdGy3_kPC_fWOl0uHjTfxDZmi-fmqKe2UIevd3i15sOPDHOXHx0Cv2yqcVUKOj82/s1600/IMG_20140212_131740.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow dog! Ivy wasn't a fan. Poor thing couldn't even walk in it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2XdxYcp4qx2RVy-P6FSlXAQ72QMLOCTrdw15bkNYTDBHuM6Igmhnpk31dw8qJNqeiawGewpahLea2AUND9r7_5SbTLBQN9bK29KBgZTgoakVCc3kr1JyVRYsTBTNcvSfcYHqugxZqumd/s1600/IMG_20140212_141425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2XdxYcp4qx2RVy-P6FSlXAQ72QMLOCTrdw15bkNYTDBHuM6Igmhnpk31dw8qJNqeiawGewpahLea2AUND9r7_5SbTLBQN9bK29KBgZTgoakVCc3kr1JyVRYsTBTNcvSfcYHqugxZqumd/s1600/IMG_20140212_141425.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow bunnies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA487I00DiO6FO354-lbDN_XApB4GoHRZ6SBDDcFniVp0tKTFaqxvtRZ1DWnXnNDm09XClmCUPQWzbjCBoBGfUoExtNreVQoexgypTCVBriU_EbhoiWSKvErCOomYPN1dgir0f0dRG6Yh/s1600/IMG_20140213_133156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA487I00DiO6FO354-lbDN_XApB4GoHRZ6SBDDcFniVp0tKTFaqxvtRZ1DWnXnNDm09XClmCUPQWzbjCBoBGfUoExtNreVQoexgypTCVBriU_EbhoiWSKvErCOomYPN1dgir0f0dRG6Yh/s1600/IMG_20140213_133156.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olaf #6... or was it 7?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyaPHumvqGMoXLbgp_C8o5XPxcfLx9VbUJy0DejynZIRNJ9PoLoGRGD2q60hgFsM_IyknIHBTb_tUkKiFzvxdsDoThSEdjDErhTW6DhX7Ie-G5R_A1e_qAVM5uhibnZkyXuVczMEeLKzD/s1600/IMG_20140213_133517569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyaPHumvqGMoXLbgp_C8o5XPxcfLx9VbUJy0DejynZIRNJ9PoLoGRGD2q60hgFsM_IyknIHBTb_tUkKiFzvxdsDoThSEdjDErhTW6DhX7Ie-G5R_A1e_qAVM5uhibnZkyXuVczMEeLKzD/s1600/IMG_20140213_133517569.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow angels!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkUNj5rw5IexOsY-kXwDRx5_2EcGPLcD7jljBJqR-W_TyBZ45LB73Frr0k-ykgMAT9g8Z77c23E3ESATVMstkVGGPXU7WStEQHYc3dkDl-1TpnWRDh9bBJS2HRiqLYO3jgBKzDwjhf8-n/s1600/IMG_20140213_134820828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkUNj5rw5IexOsY-kXwDRx5_2EcGPLcD7jljBJqR-W_TyBZ45LB73Frr0k-ykgMAT9g8Z77c23E3ESATVMstkVGGPXU7WStEQHYc3dkDl-1TpnWRDh9bBJS2HRiqLYO3jgBKzDwjhf8-n/s1600/IMG_20140213_134820828.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the "I'm about to chuck this at your face" look.</td></tr>
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Parker really enjoyed sledding and "ice skating" on the sleet. We didn't get any good sledding pictures but I did take this obnoxious mom voice video :)</div>
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Avery was the snow princess. She wanted to play in it ALL. DAY. LONG. Parker was content to sled until any part of him got wet or cold. About the only way to get Miss. A in the house was to let her watch Frozen which we may have binged on a bit this week. I'm pretty sure Avery has a future in Broadway singing, no?<br />
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We had a blast in the snow but I'm happy to see it melting quickly! <br />
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Dear God,<br />
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Thank you SO much for the snow. It was truly spectacular. It's beautiful and fun to play in. I now invite you to make it 75+ degrees until September. <br />
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Love ya!<br />
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TaylorTaylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-5270390039185995942014-02-13T11:45:00.001-05:002014-02-13T11:45:28.937-05:00Cruising with KidsBefore my blog hiatus, I promised a cruising with kids post. We took a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9061345150868053584#editor/target=post;postID=4325802797238377554;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname" target="_blank">5 night cruise</a> the 1st week of December and had a blast! I read blogs and websites about cruising with young kids before we left... some was good advice.. others not so much. A few friends have told me they're considering cruising this year with their families but were nervous about it so here's my list of tips for enjoying a cruise with young children.<br />
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<b>1</b>. <b>Keep to your regular schedule.</b><br />
We did the same routine every night. After dinner, we came back to our room, put on PJs, let the kids play iPad for 30 mins to an hour and then it was bedtime. They were asleep each night by 8. Yes, that meant I was in the room with them at 7 but I wasn't very interested in the cruise night life. It just isn't my scene. I brought my laptop with movies/TV shows I had downloaded and was very content with room service cheesecake and my shows. Daniel played poker and was back in the room by midnight so we could wake up the next morning and enjoy our day without being sleepy. Sleepy kids=grumpy kids!<br />
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<b>2. Don't bring toys.</b><br />
Some blogs showed pictures of kids with bag packs loaded down with legos, barbies, etc. The point of the cruise is to enjoy the boat, not sit in your room and play toys. We only brought the iPad and it was plenty sufficient. They watched a show on it before bed and sometimes while we got ready for dinner but otherwise, we were out of the room. <br />
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<b>3. Choose the flex dining or early dining plan</b><br />
You might me tempted to want the 8pm dinner so you have more daylight on the lido deck but that makes for a long day. We opted for flex dining so we didn't have the same waiter every night but we could eat when we wanted from 5-7pm. Most nights, we were there at 5 and our kids were fabulous at dinner. They weren't over tired or over hungry. You do have to wait sometimes for a while and that wait with hungry, tired kids would be miserable. By getting there at 5, we also got to request the waitress we liked and got our preference of tables. Please don't bring an iPad to dinner. It's inconsiderate. Try talking to your kids or coloring. Our cruise provided menus with games and crayons. <br />
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<b>4. Utilize Childcare</b><br />
We didn't get to utilize the childcare facility as much as we had planned to because Avery spiked random fevers but Parker went and really enjoyed it. Sometimes during the day, he would request to go play for a while. At first I was nervous to hand my kids off to people I didn't know on a boat in the middle of the ocean, but I really liked that they would give you cell phones if you requested one. This gave me piece of mind that they could contact me when he was ready for me to get him or if there was a problem. On the other hand, you're on a family vacation... don't leave your kids there all day! We limited it to 2-3 hours per day. Make sure to research the age requirements for each cruiseline. They are not all the same and some have potty training requirements.<br />
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<b>5. Reconsider cruising if your kids are not potty trained</b><br />
All cruise lines, including Disney, require for all children to be potty trained to get in the pools. They cannot wear swim diapers or plastic pants. Most cruise lines also won't keep diapered children in the kids club. That means that you will not have a break from your baby and cannot take him/her in the water unless you're off the boat and at a beach. For some people on our last cruise, they were fine with that and took turns chasing their 1 year old all over the boat but some other parents looked downright miserable. Little ones also have a hard time sitting that long at dinners. Screaming kids at a nice dinner is just rude to other paying customers, in my opinion. We take our kids to Mexican restaurants and not Morton's for a reason, it you know what I mean. <br />
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<b>6. Pack half of what you think you'll need</b><br />
I packed a swim suit, a play outfit and a nice outfit for each of us for each day. We had a lot of luggage and a lot of clean clothes when we got home. It was too much. We put on bathing suits 1st thing in the morning with cover ups and wore them all day until dinner. I did like having 1 outfit per dinner because they inevitably got food on their nice clothes. Next cruise, I'll pack half as many play clothes.<br />
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<b>7. Prepare your kids</b><br />
When we 1st boarded the boat, Parker was overwhelmed. We showed him YouTube videos for weeks before our cruise but it still didn't prepare him for how loud the muster stations would be and how busy the lido deck would be when everyone was boarding. I can't imagine how out of sorts he would have been if we didn't talk about it a lot and let him know what to expect.<br />
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<b>8. Don't rush off the boat on the last day</b><br />
We left the boat at our leisure after our debarkation was called. We had a nice sit down breakfast in the formal dining hall so that when we got in the car, we could drive a long stretch before needing to stop for food. It was also nice to not start our 8 hour drive home rushing. Enjoy that last breakfast... you paid for it!<br />
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<b>9. Be mindful of the time of year you cruise</b><br />
We cruised in December and I don't think I would do it again. The ocean was already pretty chilly in the Bahamas and the pool was freezing. Everyone was packed into the hot tubs! Also, think about the time of year in relation to the people who will be on the boat. We went in December when school was still in session and thus we cruised with TONS of geriatrics and a few toddlers. The entertainment was geared towards older people and there weren't many kids to play with. Whereas, if you cruised in the summer or spring break, it would be a kid haven! The water would be warmer, but the childcare facility would also be busier. So weigh whats most important to you and think about your cruise in relation to weather and school schedule.<br />
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<b>10. Let it go</b><br />
We went on this cruise with very little expectations of how it would go. We choose a less expensive cruise for our 1st time so that if it was a total bust, we wouldn't feel so upset we wasted a bunch of $. Now that we know they loved it, we feel more comfortable spending $ to go to the ports we really want to go to. While we did stick to our normal schedule, we let a lot go. They ate what they wanted, because we did too. Frozen yogurt was consumed at every meal. We played more putt putt than I ever cared to play. We let go of our expectations and just lived in the moment and that made for a stress-free, enjoyable family vacation.<br />
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I hope that helps you plan (or not plan!) your next family cruise! We are hoping to book another one in the near future! :)<br />
<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-25833848493857311562014-02-12T22:12:00.002-05:002014-02-12T22:12:32.304-05:00Perfectly Imperfect Family of 4I've missed my little space. This blog is *my space.* When you have kids, not much is yours anymore. My bed usually has a 4am pigtailed visitor, my showers usually have Avengers rescuing Thomas the train from the suds, my drinks and meals are always shared and I no longer understand the concept of personal space. But this blog is my space. It may be full of pictures of my kids and stories of our days at the park but they're memories I choose to share with my own words. <br />
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<i>When I reread that paragraph, I realize that my 2 year old is rubbing off on me with the excessive use of the word "my." </i><br />
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The problem is, I pride myself in this blog being honest. It's light-hearted and fun but at it's core, it's a memoir of our lives. It's a time stamp. A way to freeze time so we can always go back and reminisce. That said, I haven't blogged in forever because I haven't wanted to share how I feel or what's really up. I've done a pretty world class job sweeping it under a rug... a pretty one I'm sure... probably with a trellis pattern... I really like those.<br />
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I've sat down to write a few times but the only thing I really want to write about... the only thing that would be genuine... is to write about Liam and how we <i>feel</i> since. It's scary to write about because there is a line I have to draw for his sake. His parents feelings, I no longer care about to be completely honest but for Liam's sake, I've suppressed my voice... many times over and will continue to do so, in part, for his privacy and well being.<br />
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So, that said. Back in October, we were moving forward with adopting Liam. Long story short, family stepped in who had not been involved in his life up until word got out that his parents had abandoned him and were putting his unborn brother up for adoption. At the time, we were confused. Why had God laid adoption on my heart years ago and even worked in Daniel's heart to being on the same page? Liam was literally brought to our door step and then he was taken away? I just didn't understand. <br />
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My initial feelings ran the gamut from confused to sad to even relieved. He was not an easy child and he really threw Parker (who has sensory processing issues) for a loop. Over time, I began to see that God put Liam in our lives for a period of time for a very distinct purpose. We truly believe it was to change the course of his life. I still, 3 months later, find myself sad sometimes that his future won't be with us, but I take comfort in the fact that he is safe and hopefully treasured as he should be.<br />
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Even though Liam was difficult, I really enjoyed being a mom of 3. It was chaotic and busy but overall, I found purpose in caring for 3 little ones, especially one that I felt needed me so badly. Having 3 forced me to be more intentional with my time which I realize I could make myself be now but I didn't have a choice with 3! If I have a choice, I will choose to snooze the alarm or put off laundry... or any chore for that matter. Going back to 2 children left me feeling less complete. Time is healing that and I am finding purpose in getting more involved with Parker's OT, school redistricting meetings and the neighborhood board but I'd be lying if I said they're nearly as fulfilling as tucking in a 3rd child. Liam will always have a piece of my heart though I doubt he'll ever know I exist. <br />
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After the confusion and sadness subsided, the anger set in. Never at God but at his parents for putting Liam and my family in this position in the 1st place. I can't say I'm fully past that phase. I look at my children and can't imagine not seeing what a blessing they are. I feel angry for my friends who ache for children when people who don't deserve them can procreate like gerbils. I bite my tongue at the occupational therapist when a mom snaps at her children every. single. week. If the last 6 months have taught me anything, it's how incredibly blessed I am and what a gift my children are.<br />
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After we lost Liam, Daniel and I gave ourselves some time to think and pray then had "the talk." We both felt that me carrying a 3rd child is dangerous and wouldn't be fair to Parker and Avery to put my life at risk to have a sibling that they don't want... we asked! We could foster or adopt but that would be challenging for Parker and I'm not sure I could emotionally handle going through something like that again. Ultimately, we decided to be a family of 4. It is absolutely the right decision for us, even though sometimes I still grieve the loss of our family of 5... whether that 5th was Liam or another child. <br />
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I ate a lot of Doritos, binged watched Scandal and was downright lazy for a solid two weeks after he went to live with family. My feelings really surprised me because I didn't realize how much I loved him and being a mom of 3 until he was gone. I was disappointed in myself for not living more in the moment. I complained too much about how much he cried, how he never napped, how he never listened, how he preferred running in the opposite direction of where we were going, how he painted with his poop.... the list goes on but when it was over... I missed it. I missed him.<i> (well not the poop painting... that was just downright gross). </i><br />
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These feelings have given me a real heart check about how I feel in tough moments with Parker and Avery. My house has never been dirtier but I've also never snuggled Avery as much as I do now. I've memorized her smell and how soft her cheeks up against mine are. I know every Avenger and villain. I can build Lego sets without the instructions and I know exactly which Lego piece out of the thousands we have that Parker means when he says he's looking for "lefty." When Avery has a meltdown, I tend to laugh more than get frustrated because it's gonna pass. When Parker wants to read another Iron Man story in my lap, dinner gets pushed back 10 minutes because he's not going to sit in my lap much longer. "I love yous" are said more than ever and they're meant twice as much. It's sad that it took loosing Liam to fully understand what gifts each moment soaking in my kid's childhood means but it's the truth. <br />
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While my house may be chaotic and in full floor renovation mode, my emotional rug is now clean. There you have it. I'm struggling with contentment and sometimes I'm downright mad but I've also never seen more clearly how blessed I am to have Parker, Avery and Daniel as my perfectly imperfect family of 4. <br />
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Now, back to pictures of play dates and snow days! :)<br />
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-43258027972383775542013-12-17T16:10:00.000-05:002013-12-17T16:10:12.708-05:00Cruisin'Do I still have any loyal blog readers after my <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2013/12/holly-jolly-holiday-for-him.html" target="_blank">last post</a>? haha<br />
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Back to our vacation update! After a day at Legoland, we spent the night with my uncle (technically 3rd, I think, cousin but we call him uncle) at his house in Orlando. The next morning, we popped out of bed ready for blue water, umbrella drinks and meals that I didn't have to cook. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Denny's pretty backyard swing... note Avery's shoes on the wrong feet... she would NOT let me fix them. Little Miss Independent.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I don't have any pictures of the 1st day because this day was overwhelming. Basically every passenger on the boat is on the lido deck, someone is constantly making announcements on the intercom, there are a lot of chimes and that darn muster drill is annoying albeit necessary. This day overwhelmed Parker who has some sensory issues. We started to wonder what the heck we did signing our family up to be stuck on a boat for 6 days. <br />
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After a nice dinner, we put the kids to bed at their usual time of 7:30. This was *key* to enjoying the rest of our vacation! They slept until 9:00am thanks to having an interior room with no light... it was glorious. <br />
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The kids woke up happy and we breathed a huge sigh of relief when we realized that they weren't so overwhelmed anymore. Our 1st day was at Freeport, Bahamas. So after a great night's sleep and a yummy breakfast, we got off the boat and got a cab to take us to a local beach. Much to our surprise, the water was COLD and it looked like it was going to storm but we enjoyed playing in the sand. Excursions to play at beaches were $60+ dollars a person... we paid $27 round trip for the 4 of us for a cab to a public beach with bathrooms, a restaurant and a nice bar. #winning<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No filter! That was really how the sky looked!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These piggies!!!! I love them!</td></tr>
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The next day was Half Moon Cay. This was our favorite day! It was warmer and the island had lots for the kids to do!<br />
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They enjoyed the water slides and shallow, clear water. This island was super family friendly and I recommend booking a cruise that stops here if you have kids!<br />
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Each night was pretty much the same. We went back to the room at 4. The kids played legos, we rested a bit, showered and then were at dinner by 5:45. We loved our waitress, Yulia. Parker and Avery were great every night at dinner thanks to bread, crayons and random choreographed dances by the waiters. Shout out to Vitaly (yes, like in Madagascar 3) who taught Avery how to "get low" to the "apple bottoms jeans" song. Really proud mom moment when a 22 year old waiter tells you your 2 year old is a "sexy dancer!" We gave him slack and crossed our fingers that was a "lost in translation" moment! haha<br />
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The next day was spent at sea. Unfortunately, Avery had a fever this day so after a few rounds of mini golf, she and Daniel retreated to the room for naps. Parker had a blast in kid's camp while mama laid out alone by the pool with an umbrella drink. It was nice!<br />
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We decided to forgo Nassau since we had been there before and just play on the lido deck while there were less people on the ship. We played on the water slide, ate our weight in frozen yogurt and watched silly contest by the pool. I got a massage while Daniel played mini golf with the kids then we met up to get ready for dinner.<br />
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Each night after dinner, we went straight back to the room and put the kids to bed. That just worked for us. They were tired and I think we had a more enjoyable cruise because we kept them on schedule. I had lots of movies and TV shoes on a hard drive that I watched on the laptop with head phones while the kids slept. The Sound of Music with Carrie Underwood also happened to be on NBC one night so I spent 3 hours of my life being a little confused by that musical. Carrie Underwood is stunning and sings SO beautifully but it was just awkward in my opinion. PS- The <i>hills</i> are alive with the sound of music... not the forest. <br />
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Daniel played poker every night and boy are we glad he did! ;) He won double the amount of the cost of our cruise! Go Daniel! I didn't feel in the least bit slighted because I was not interested in this cruise's on board entertainment since it was geared more toward the 50+ crowd. (More on that in my next post Cruisin' with Kids) Keeping the kids on their schedule worked for us even if that meant turning in at 7:30!<br />
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We're still trying to explain to the kids that frozen yogurt is only breakfast food on cruises and that mama doesn't cook 4 and 5 course meals. They may have gotten a wee bit spoiled but that's what vacations are for, right?<br />
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-2220905084624263732013-12-11T17:17:00.001-05:002013-12-11T17:17:09.830-05:00Holly Jolly Holiday for HIM<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to interrupt my series on our cruise pictures, I know you're devastated, to discuss something way more exciting to most of you...unless you're my dad or mother-in-law... then you just need to quit reading right about now.....</div>
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<i>Disclaimer: The following post is outside of the normal content of this blog but I felt inclined to share because it's important...and Biblical in the confines of marriage...and fun...and free. That said, if you're a prude... you won't like this post so come back tomorrow for cruise pictures! ;) </i></div>
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You see, Daniel and I don't exchange presents under the tree... well that's not true... it has been under the tree before but bare with me. We buy presents for the house that we need like vacuums, steam cleaners and Ninja blenders but we start using them the day we get them... ie... 2 days after cyber Monday.... shout out to Amazon Prime. That doesn't mean *NO* gifts; it just means we choose to spend $ on our children, things we need for the house and other people. I ALWAYS give Daniel Reese cups in the shape of Christmas trees in his stockings and he gives me... a Christmas hug aka nothing. My stocking is always so sad... hint hint. </div>
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Last year in mid December, my friend surprised me out of the blue with an email. I was hesitant to click on it because of my <a href="http://savedbygracemaintainedbycoffee.blogspot.com/2013/12/surprise-we-went-on-vacation.html" target="_blank">aforementioned issue with collecting a wide range of spyware</a>. I'm a link clicker and I'm really trying to be better! Remember those free Starbucks links on facebook last winter? Scam. I learn the hard way...</div>
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Back to the email... it read "The 12 LAYS of Christmas." Little background on this friend... She is a Godly woman, bakes the most beautiful cakes, does lovely vinyl work, crafts with the best of them and is all around a Betty Homemaker so this email caught me off guard but perked my interest.</div>
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The premise is, for the 12 days before Christmas, you'll <i>bless</i> your husband with the present he REALLY wants... once a day for 12 days in a row. No ladies, he does not in fact, want a polo shirt, or cologne, or a partridge in a pear tree... he wants YOU.... 12 times. I downloaded the flirty files and took them on a thumb drive to Staples to print out on pretty shiny cardstock. Little piece of advice: always fully read what you're printing out before asking someone else to do it for you to avoid any embarrassment. Side note: your hubby doesn't care if these are printed on shiny cardstock in color... black and white on flimsy paper is just fine. Once I reassured myself "I'll never see the Staples print manager again. It's no big deal," I got to cutting them out. Each morning, I'd find a way to slip him the note so he had the whole day to think about it. I imagine he was super productive at work the 2nd half of December.</div>
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It was his favorite present... EVER.</div>
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So it's that time of the year again when all you ladies are in the line at Marshall's/Homegoods that wraps around to the back of the store to buy your polos and wallets. He doesn't want it or at least he wouldn't want it if he knew <i>this </i>was an option! Save yourself the time, $ and stress. I'm gonna make this simple for you.</div>
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Just Do It... and I don't mean go buy him Nike shoes.</div>
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I've scoured the internet for you and saved your computers from all sorts of viruses and spyware that attack you from googling phrases like "naughty days of Christmas," "12 lays of Christmas" and "sexy days of Christmas"... you.are.welcome. </div>
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Here are some fun links to different 12 lays of Christmas ideas.</div>
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<i>Disclaimer: I did not make any of these on my own and I have NO idea what is on the rest of the sites but these particular links are PG to PG-13. </i>;)</div>
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This one includes little gifts that go with each day:</div>
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<a href="http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-lays-of-christmas.html" target="_blank"> http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-lays-of-christmas.html</a></div>
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This one also has little gifts that go along with each day and is cute enough to save and reuse next year!</div>
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<a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/just-the-two-of-us/12-sexy-days-of-christmas/">http://www.thedatingdivas.com/just-the-two-of-us/12-sexy-days-of-christmas/</a></div>
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If you don't like some of the poems or gifts in the previous 2, here are some poem options to create your own little coupons:</div>
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<a href="http://pie.midco.net/grammalowe/12alter.html">http://pie.midco.net/grammalowe/12alter.html</a></div>
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This one doesn't have any gifts or things you need. SCORE! She also has 2 years worth of poems so you can over achieve and do 24 lays of Christmas or just pick the ones you like the best:</div>
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<a href="http://flightofthethorups.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-lays-of-christmas-2013.html" target="_blank">http://flightofthethorups.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-twelve-lays-of-christmas-2013.html</a></div>
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This one is for the dating/engaged couples! You better not be doing this one if you're married... I'm just saying... he'll be disappointed:</div>
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<a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/romantic-rendezvous/merry-kiss-mas/">http://www.thedatingdivas.com/romantic-rendezvous/merry-kiss-mas/</a></div>
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If you aren't comfortable with these little poems and ideas, create your
own! He'd love it just as much, if not more, if it was original and
from the heart!</div>
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You better hurry! If you start this Friday, the 13th!, you'll finish the 12 lays on Christmas Eve and as a bonus for you over achievers, some of those links also have a print out for Christmas Day. </div>
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For anyone still reading but feel unsure about it, did you know there are 29ish (some were far reaching) scriptures in the Bible (according to my trusty friend, Google) dedicated to the topic of intimacy within marriage? 1st Corinthians 7:5 literally says "do not deprive each other." So basically God <i>wants</i> you to give your husband the 12 lays of Christmas. (Dear theologians... I'm sure I took that out of context... feel free to not inform me. I like my version better.) </div>
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What better way to bless your husband at Christmas than to take time during the craziness of the holiday for each other? You'll reduce holiday stress, set him up for smiles at all family functions and give him something to look forward to each day! Don't forget... it's also kinda like gifting your husband a present that's really for you too. I'm not sure if that's selfish of savvy but I'm going with the latter. </div>
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Merry Kissmas and a very Happy (and potentially fertile for some of you) New Year! ;)</div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-32242635177442587222013-12-10T15:32:00.000-05:002013-12-10T15:32:05.135-05:00Surprise! We went on a vacation!Well hello again! Do you know what happens when you set your computer on the floor next to a bath tub to "play on facebook" while the kids bathe? Said children like to "swim" in the tub... they splash... and laptops don't enjoy water as much as toddlers do. It still works... except for the letters QWERTYUASDF.... just the top left side of the keyboard.... who needs those letters anyways? I emailed myself those letters from Daniel's computer so I could copy and paste them as needed but that's REALLY annoying. Like really...really... obnoxiously tedious. Lesson learned... keep electronics away from bath time.<br />
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Thankfully, my husband hoards computers so now that we're back from our vacation and settling back into our routine, he'll set one up for me with locks and limits like a child because I am the QUEEN of computer viruses and spyware... and run on sentences. <br />
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Due to my love of spyware and social media, the hubby made sure to remind me NOT to post that we were going on vacation because that's like saying "Hey y'all, come steal all my stuff. I won't be home to stop you. Oh and by the way, the Christmas gifts are hidden in the guest room closet. Help yourself. Please feed the seahorses while you're here. Thanks! Love, The Wise Family"<br />
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So... surprise! We went on a vacation!<br />
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Last December, we planned a 6 day cruise to the Bahamas to unplug from technology and enjoy being together and unreachable from work, facebook and the 75 emails a day I've been getting since joining the HOA communications committee. Ok, so not 75... but too many... We committed to 6 days as a family, unplugged, in a warm destination, with every meal prepared for us and umbrella drinks. *BLISS*<br />
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While on vacation, I took a whole 60 pictures... that's it.... and I wasn't in a single one of them. Photo fail? or Photo win? On one hand, I don't have many pictures to document our fun vacation. On the other hand, I was living in the moment instead of behind the lens. I lie... I took 1 picture of myself.<br />
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Those are my short, stubby toes in the sands of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. My feet look like those of a 97 year old woman. Why are my feet so wrinkly?!<br /><br />
I digress. We went to Florida 2 days before our cruise so we could take the kids to Legoland. We thought Parker would LOVE it! Come to find out, he mostly just loved the exclusive Lego minifigures. Had we known that, we would have spent the $140 in tickets on lego ebay treasures and he would have been more than pleased. Unless your child is over 42 inches and can walk through a Lego store and not buy something without explosive tears.... don't waste your $.<br />
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They're marketing geniuses at Legoland, you see, so most rides exit through a themed store. The "Knights Kingdom" roller coaster ride either ends in tears from not buying the castle or you drop $89 on tiny plastic pieces that are suppose to form a castle except my child mixes his sets and can't build them alone so really they're just land mines that you'll eventually step on and curse yourself for purchasing. We managed to leave Legoland with only $24 in minifigures and $18 in stocking stuffers but we also left with Avery in tears because she was too short to ride everything except the carousel and cars. <br />
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While we DID have fun, all in all, I would not recommend Legoland unless you're already in the Orlando area and get majorly discounted tickets. Also, purchase parking online... it's discounted to <i>only</i> $12. UGH. Am I the only one who hates paying to park?!<br />
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Next up, cruise pictures! I also plan to do a "cruising with kids" post. We plan to cruise again soon and there are some things we learned this trip I'll definitely implement for the next one. My last name isn't "Wise" because I married into it... oh wait... it is ;) <br />
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-74732291551128762962013-11-17T18:46:00.002-05:002013-11-17T18:46:54.706-05:00World Prematurity Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is World Prematurity Day... something I don't speak off too often because our NICU experience seems like SUCH a lifetime ago. It was an AWFUL and yet preciously sweet time when we clung to the Lord in complete desperation for the life of our premature son. I've written bits and pieces before about Parker's birth and what a miracle this little stud is but in case you're new here, I wanted to rewrite it. Every time I look at these pictures, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for my children... the children I statistically shouldn't have. </div>
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After my cancer, we were told I probably couldn't have children but if we wanted them, to not prevent them and hope for the best. We did a little more than that and <i>prayed</i> for children but in God's timing... which was sooner than we expected. 6 months after my last chemo, I was pregnant and I was ecstatic! We had no idea how far a long I was so based on ultrasound measurements they gave me a due date of May 5th (which ended up being Avery's birthday 2 years later!). </div>
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I had an uneventful pregnancy and really enjoyed being pregnant other than the fact that my hair quit growing since I was too busy growing a baby. I was desperate for my hair to get out of that awkward "growing it back out" length. It was stuck. </div>
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One night, I leashed the dogs up to take them for a walk when I saw out of the corner of my eye, my neighbor's dog charging at me. I scooped up my pug and was struck by the German Shepard. I screamed for Daniel and he came running. He kicked the dog off me but I had already fallen on my belly and was in a panic. I knew something wasn't right. </div>
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We went to the hospital, where they patched up the back of my leg (which looked like hamburger meat) and kept me overnight to monitor me. I was spilling proteins, contracting and my heart rate was elevated. The next day, they sent me home but told me I better rest a lot and see the doctor every other day to be monitored. </div>
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5 days later, I drove to the grand opening of Harris Teeter (because that's what you do in the suburbs!). I bought toilet paper and got a Starbucks but I could tell something was off. I had my blood pressure taken along with the 65+ Sun City senior crowd and the pharmacist wouldn't let me leave until I called my OB. Apparently it was bad... really bad. I felt like I had consumed 3 shots of espresso... except I hadn't. Of course, they told me to come RIGHT NOW... to which I replied "I'm going to go home, pack and bag, take a shower, shave my legs... and then I'll come." Vain? No Not me. </div>
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Obviously, that didn't go over very well and so I drove my hairy legs and chipped toe nails to the hospital... with nothing except my wallet. Daniel was out of town and got that dreaded call. The "haul hiney home RIGHT NOW and abandon your co-worker in another city" call 'cause this baby's coming. We don't know whether the dog attack cause my pre-eclampsia or if I had it and we became aware then but either way, my blood pressure was too high and no amount of magnesium was keeping this baby in. I took steroid shots to develop Parker's lungs and I remember high risk doctors giving us statistics. I've never been so thankful to have been on too many drugs to really remember what they were but I was blissfully loopy because they weren't good. </div>
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The next morning I woke up after a wonderful night's sleep on Ambien and said "is it normal to not be able to see anything?" Um. No. Doctors rushed around while I obliviously put on makeup for my pending c-section...'cause these pictures are going in the baby book! </div>
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Parker was born 8 weeks too soon on March 21, 2009 via c-section weighing 3lbs 10oz. It was love at first sight.</div>
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He was whisked away to the NICU and Daniel went with him. He filmed the doctors and nurses explain what each tube and wire was. At 14 minutes old, Parker quit breathing and we have the beginning of Parker being resuscitated on film. It's the worst home video... EVER. If "America's Most Horrifying Home Videos" was a show, we'd be millionaires. </div>
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I didn't get to see Parker for 3 days other than in pictures and videos. His doctors would come see me and I remember asking them if he would live. The answer to that should be "yes, of course" but words like "we don't know," "most likely" and "time will tell" are what I got. It was like a knife... I quit asking. </div>
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He spent a few days on the ventilator until he got too frustrated with it and ripped it out. </div>
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He spent a while on the c-pap and under the glow worm lamp for jaundice. Parker was fed by TPN and given medicine every day to try to close his PDA. He dodged heart surgery by hours. HOURS. For the first few days, we could only lightly touch him until day 5. On day 5, a sweet nurse could see my desperation to hold my precious baby and she let me for 5 minutes. His stats actually improved during those 5 minutes. It was heaven on earth... even though I look greasy and tired. </div>
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NICU really is a roller coaster. One day, he's doing great and we'd get to bring him home in the next week or so and then the next day, they think his bowels are dead and will need surgery and possibly be here for months. One day he's taking a bottle like a champ and the next day he was having brady's and forgetting to breathe. I don't think I've ever prayed so much and with such fervor. </div>
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I was discharged after 1 week and spent every single day driving to and from the NICU twice a day. Once during the day alone and once after dinner with Daniel. I quit taking any pain pills so I could drive to be with my baby. I didn't care how much it hurt. I sweat off my baby weight under those yellow itchy gowns. NICU moms can I get an amen?!</div>
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I walked into his isolet one day and remember thinking how handsome he looked... it took a nurse pointing out that he was off c-pap and I could see his face! He wore the nasal cannula until he was discharged. He was 8 days old and 3lb 8oz in that picture. </div>
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We became very close to our NICU nurses, particularly our primary day and night nurse. They humored my 3am "can I just talk to my baby?" calls. Most of the nurses were amazing and I can't say enough about how dedicated they are to their jobs. They are angels on Earth to NICU parents. An acquaintance of mine is a MUCH more eloquent writer than I'll ever be and was featured on the Huffington Post with her <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heather-hucks/nicu-nurse_b_3930629.html" target="_blank">Dear NICU nurse</a> post. Heather is a micro preemie mom who blogs at <a href="http://www.teamhucks.com/" target="_blank">Team Hucks</a> about their little fighter, Tucker. Make sure to swing by and tell her "hello!" They're in their 2nd year of isolation... a not so fun part of having a preemie... and I know she'd love some encouragement. Those days can be long and lonely!</div>
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Parker was classified as a "wimpy white boy." It's a real thing. They're just slower to do most things... like breathe, take bottles, etc. So we waited... and waited for him to just "get it." Not so unlike life with him now... it's all in HIS time. Once he "got it" he became an expert at eating and breathing and went from 3lbs 7oz at his smallest to 4lbs 10oz. 4 weeks after he as born, 8 weeks too soon, we strapped him into his gigantic car seat and brought him home. </div>
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I almost feel like I cheapen other people's NICU stories when ours was only 4 weeks. It's such a small blip of time in the grand scheme of things but each minute crawled by. We meet many parents whose babies were in the NICU for 6+ months and they were so encouraging to us and genuinely happy for us when we got to bring our son home, knowing full well they still had a long and uncertain road ahead. </div>
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Babies came and went in the NICU... and not all went home. I read many blogs about NICU babies and each time, I'm humbled by our outcome. We still struggle with some preemie related issues but in the grand scheme of things... it's nothing compared to what it could be. If I didn't tell you Parker was a preemie, you probably wouldn't know. </div>
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So there you have it... our preemie story. Our 3lb 10oz "screamie preemie" who has made our lives fuller and richer than we ever thought imaginable.</div>
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"Every good and perfect gift comes from above" James 1:17</div>
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<br />Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061345150868053584.post-10198488468380333072013-11-10T22:33:00.002-05:002013-11-10T22:33:38.691-05:00I'm loving... {MY Christmas List Edition}If you're anything like me, you started thinking about what you wanted to get your kids for Christmas sometime back in July. Santa is already done by November 5th because this mama just likes to enjoy the holidays... and have you ever seen the line at Marshall's/Homegoods from mid November-Christmas Eve?!?! Insanity.<br />
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One thing I'm not so good at is thinking about what I want for Christmas. I end up just saying "oh don't get me anything" or "whatever you think is cute" and then I end up with $200 in Starbucks gift cards and a $50 Victoria Secret gift card from my 86 year old grandfather because nothing says Merry Christmas like a lace thong from your Poppop. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE those Starbucks gift cards... all 15 of them because they are gone by March every year and yes... I really do get a VS GC almost every year from my Poppop but it's meant for "jammies"...so I'm told ;) ... I decided this year to be more intentional with my list.<br />
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But here's the thing about being an adult. When I want something, and I have the $ to buy it... I do. And I certainly don't want it wrapped under the tree .... because those magical elves who wrap the kid's presents and build trampolines do actually intend to sleep at least a few hours Christmas Eve! The point is, Christmas shopping for adults, or even making a list for yourself can be HARD!<br />
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I'm a pretty sensible Christmas gift kinda gal. Daniel and I usually just pick something we want for the house and gift that to each other. This year, we gifted ourselves our present(s) early because we actually needed it sooner than later. Get excited.... 1st on my "I'm loving for Christmas list" is....<br />
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1. The Dyson Animal: <br />
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<br />How I have lived my adult life without this vacuum, I'm just not sure. I loved my robot vacuum... all 3 of them but that's the problem... I had 3 in 2 years. They just didn't hold up well. The Dyson is a beast but it works.... so much so that I gagged the 1st time I cleaned it. It's pricey but worth every penny!<br />
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Next, was a surprise from Daniel. I told him we needed to call a carpet cleaner.... cause we have toddlers and dogs and our poor carpet had seen better days. He told me he'd do some research and I planned to ask him about it a few days later. 2 days later, thanks to Amazon Prime, came this:<br />
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2. Bissell Big Green Cleaning Machine<br />
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Apparently, I am the new carpet cleaning company around here. It was one of those moments where I wasn't sure whether or not to be mad or ecstatic. I gave it a go before explaining that I meant more along the lines of "Stanley Steamer" ... and much to my surprise, this thing is AMAZING! It's so powerful, that I ended up having to use a GFI outlet with an extension cord because I blew the circuit... twice. My carpets look just a good as they did the last time we hired a professional company! It's pretty big and storing it is proving to be an interesting task but if you have kids or dogs, you'll save so much $ over time just owning your own steam cleaner and I HIGHLY recommend this one!<br />
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The rest of my list isn't big items like the ones above and I don't actually have them (hint hint) but you NEEDED to be informed of the awesomeness of those carpet products.<br />
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3. Hillsong United Zion Album<br />
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Confession. I own an iPod and an iPhone and I haven't got a single song on either unless you count the ABC song app. I'm a lover of CDs, Pandora and YouTube and I stream the Hillsong channel most of the day. This CD would make a nice addition to the swagger wagon's collection. If you haven't heard "Oceans" yet from this album, you MUST. Right Now. Be blessed.<br />
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Hillsong is coming to Greenville SC next Tuesday and I'm trying to make it work out. I want to go SO badly!<br />
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4. Anne Taylor Loft Boyfriend Cardigan<br />
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I wore this cardigan in mustard for our family photos and I LOVE it! It fits really cute and is a great fall staple piece to have in your wardrobe. I like the length and the material seems like it will hold up nicely. Good news! It's on sale for $25 right now! SO... I'm thinking I need it in another color.... or 5.<br />
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5. Starbucks {You are Here} Mugs<br />
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I've decided to streamline my coffee mugs for stacking purposes... and because these are darling and make me happy. I have Charlotte and North Carolina. I've requested NYC from my sister who lives there and Atlanta from my grandparents but since my parents are flight attendants, I think they need to start buying me Sbux mugs from cool cities, don't you? <br />
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6. Canvas Flats<br />
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I bought these Steve Madden camo Tom like shoes about 2 months ago. I wasn't sure what I would wear these with because I am NOT a country girl and would never wear camo but these have proved to be more of a neutral that jazz up jeans and a solid shirt. They're like butter on my feet and have become a "go to" preschool drop off/errand running shoe. I'd love another pair... that SPARKLE or have polka dots or are crocheted. I like a fun shoe.<br />
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7. Gift Cards<br />
You really can't beat a gift card. I know it isn't as fun to gift but it sure is fun to receive! There are lots of cute Pinteresty ways to give a gift card. I personally like the mason jar of candy with the card hidden in it idea! :)<br />
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Here is my list of fun, not as common gift cards that I'd love and I bet you might too!<br />
a. Hobby Lobby - this place is my weakness... I go in for $2.99 worth of grosgrain ribbon and $127 later, I have new mantle decor, a cake plate, polka dot fabric, glitter, wrapping paper and a sparkly singing Santa. <br />
b. Canvas on Demand (or any other canvas place)<br />
c. Groupon/Living Social - this is like cheating because you're getting a gift card for a discount site which means you're getting a more expensive gift than they would have given you in the 1st place!<br />
d. Amazon - you can buy anything... and I mean anything on Amazon.<br />
e. Etsy- Don't buy me an etsy gift card... I WILL spend it on hair bows for Avery... but you may like one for some handmade jewelry or a crocheted sweater for a pig... they probably sell one... that site has some wacky things<br />
f. Nail salon gift card but for 2 people... it's way more fun to go with a friend and treat her too!<br />
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That's my list of things this mama's loving for Christmas present ideas. Next up... Christmas List Toy Edition! Taylor Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137057709883320926noreply@blogger.com4