tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1772432649421880602024-03-13T18:24:01.567-07:00That's Gross, Man!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-89787124685262057862010-07-19T15:58:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:58:10.015-07:00New BlogI just want to let you know that I am done having so many Japanese comments posted on our blog and have switched to a new one. I'm hoping that this will do it - the change is better explained on the new one. So change the first part of the address to stanleypie and you will find us there. If those instructions are too vague, contact me and I will let you know what it is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-83421386376228808332010-07-07T09:33:00.000-07:002010-07-07T09:33:28.824-07:00Maiby's Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I don't like the formatting of the pics - it's changed from what it once was, and now it's a lot more difficult for me to place them where I want them, and there's always too much blank space. Darn it. but on to the posting...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CdT2g4z01mtommE-ho1L89PBOMkPfLAoalOf10g5KQ_uFny_jOpCaxK_bfSfpD_i1xpJtQdv_LaVvCNNpXHM34X6POUu2vnYXJN7j2jMo_h_OMCbFeU_0sO-mkXax44CFOKKkZBX5a8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CdT2g4z01mtommE-ho1L89PBOMkPfLAoalOf10g5KQ_uFny_jOpCaxK_bfSfpD_i1xpJtQdv_LaVvCNNpXHM34X6POUu2vnYXJN7j2jMo_h_OMCbFeU_0sO-mkXax44CFOKKkZBX5a8/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a>Here is Maiby 'making a monster' with her pj's. She likes to make monsters several times a week, either before changing into pj's or when she has picked her clothes out before we come in to get her in the mornings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxEenTVjWty6M6sW_rCE6sBnHArHi-TWutUeTzQ-c6hEyhcIvWYj9-_80kob0r5n9vm9mtv7j0hfju0rBz4xER9G_iSWzGVQiFeCjRE9h1kCQyP0fKw2DCrTrkbh_MtWiWwFoVTJEWKE/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxEenTVjWty6M6sW_rCE6sBnHArHi-TWutUeTzQ-c6hEyhcIvWYj9-_80kob0r5n9vm9mtv7j0hfju0rBz4xER9G_iSWzGVQiFeCjRE9h1kCQyP0fKw2DCrTrkbh_MtWiWwFoVTJEWKE/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The other night, she wanted to put on a 'show'. She lined the kid chairs up and put some dolls on them, and then made sure she had her mommy & daddy's attention and then started drumming on a few different toys. I didn't take a video, but the picture can give you the basic idea. It wasn't very long each time - she is a lot more embarrassed about things when Daddy's around and would only drum one or two times.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLH711qiy-B191UYSf0hVsI6SMXlKE9DvlUINI11BIS8Aifsv0a0k94gza3Oh6IxPkKONNNEInBf5zsfZpN4d3tmrqJAFFZmpKQZ7l4XQoSQYeKmPn3b37NcwXQZbrQJOS6scKNrwnxs/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLH711qiy-B191UYSf0hVsI6SMXlKE9DvlUINI11BIS8Aifsv0a0k94gza3Oh6IxPkKONNNEInBf5zsfZpN4d3tmrqJAFFZmpKQZ7l4XQoSQYeKmPn3b37NcwXQZbrQJOS6scKNrwnxs/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div>And here she is as an elephant.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-32820016624034103412010-06-13T16:39:00.000-07:002010-06-13T16:39:02.788-07:00Small Game of Catch-Up & Big Changes<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH9hJnud_uvDR5PB9VE3ql5-BpGK2xVyivvE7352_KmHUbAS1TOdocx4V08nW1e65yeW_AwP1hy8NULWuCbcY55nOYPpG0Kqgg7x8wS3JzhxxL9YCqge5lrQxRPl2vscBE8fya4FIsfc/s1600/100_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH9hJnud_uvDR5PB9VE3ql5-BpGK2xVyivvE7352_KmHUbAS1TOdocx4V08nW1e65yeW_AwP1hy8NULWuCbcY55nOYPpG0Kqgg7x8wS3JzhxxL9YCqge5lrQxRPl2vscBE8fya4FIsfc/s200/100_0720.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, things are still going great here in Michigan. We love our new apartment, and James is enjoying his job. And the more I get to know them, the more I like them, too.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is a surprise that James received from his work a few days before he started:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And on his first day, he brought home a baby blanket personalized with Scout's name and date of birth. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXY7srkOjsK2ro_lKzrGafHgnWq_zkUDsHTHNL2IjF_YcGQZk8rh-2dd9VXkCQG-4k9KdQ1j1WGX4B8FSpxjPNXw-3dDmn2D4dlcC8zsqW15_dOTfposPqsyMHG_Qn25tRWSS0mRYX0/s1600/100_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXY7srkOjsK2ro_lKzrGafHgnWq_zkUDsHTHNL2IjF_YcGQZk8rh-2dd9VXkCQG-4k9KdQ1j1WGX4B8FSpxjPNXw-3dDmn2D4dlcC8zsqW15_dOTfposPqsyMHG_Qn25tRWSS0mRYX0/s200/100_0733.JPG" width="200" /></a>We have found a great beach at Tunnel Park, and Maiby LOVES the water, even though it's been around 60 degrees each time we've gone in.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjP_mPaoi5ekNeakhVikQYjCN86mH7H9YCrTUbYnZAvKRmFZnUfuXx7ZbvgRpif-NLDPnt5O9rgg0GBu0WlEUVvD_rlD6vFfcmHBdq7BejQmwvMiKEUR47jgigMA94ynZVYAXeZineGw/s1600/100_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjP_mPaoi5ekNeakhVikQYjCN86mH7H9YCrTUbYnZAvKRmFZnUfuXx7ZbvgRpif-NLDPnt5O9rgg0GBu0WlEUVvD_rlD6vFfcmHBdq7BejQmwvMiKEUR47jgigMA94ynZVYAXeZineGw/s200/100_0728.JPG" width="200" /></a>Here's a picture of our happy baby, learning to laugh. It's super cute.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As for the change I mentioned, this is the before:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUsBb6oNunOJC0wWfQXZECYVQ2oK02wC3LaSh9Eqgj4AaD68l5jEhmB-Loy-NBEWS_Q8__YMQz_o8kwkJfUBoTkq_thq6prKfsHKThMBiCG8XHFAtUXxDsIs_uzoeFk9V92GB1F2VDTc/s1600/100_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUsBb6oNunOJC0wWfQXZECYVQ2oK02wC3LaSh9Eqgj4AaD68l5jEhmB-Loy-NBEWS_Q8__YMQz_o8kwkJfUBoTkq_thq6prKfsHKThMBiCG8XHFAtUXxDsIs_uzoeFk9V92GB1F2VDTc/s200/100_0737.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdOL1C96oj37qw5Vx-ISFS22LW4ZgF0tVZtcF5Hdd5XUdgD_os1lvMQ8y6zuucqFSZ2KMAe5eCi1bw0ha1zosdUWHnh9gxAAbYoVcTjBitwRgzocZLbUz4fOfHGaoDyob1b-IOvwC-as/s1600/100_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdOL1C96oj37qw5Vx-ISFS22LW4ZgF0tVZtcF5Hdd5XUdgD_os1lvMQ8y6zuucqFSZ2KMAe5eCi1bw0ha1zosdUWHnh9gxAAbYoVcTjBitwRgzocZLbUz4fOfHGaoDyob1b-IOvwC-as/s200/100_0743.JPG" width="200" /></a>Here's the in-between:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And the end result!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsyIf8AEbRDVEaI_lUvzWvVgI8o5lrB7IKDIRX8xCP8gobyaWqlyFgsaDpXszj6dhRdsNbiEvrHApikCah3UG0jir-lwKssyl5U_R2yBlBgKlAhbBc7jfC8pqY80L9_wr7pQlqkOnkXA/s1600/100_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsyIf8AEbRDVEaI_lUvzWvVgI8o5lrB7IKDIRX8xCP8gobyaWqlyFgsaDpXszj6dhRdsNbiEvrHApikCah3UG0jir-lwKssyl5U_R2yBlBgKlAhbBc7jfC8pqY80L9_wr7pQlqkOnkXA/s400/100_1907.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and this is why they say not to keep bottled hair dye around for too long. We are just glad that we weren't at church when the bottle of BLUE dye exploded in the bathroom, so we were able to clean it up right away. This is the ceiling.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHE3pQaPtDeJjwEbB1BaFb__TWZhj3XPSQrfKZB_a8Nc03Y9UgOO1a5FsqziDgxfTvkNs80M6wTnZsGwGBOj2JkgamvCSJG6rSnLkSqalY-T0Z0YA04a94vnswc5p9eEHDhGa5mata-c/s1600/100_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHE3pQaPtDeJjwEbB1BaFb__TWZhj3XPSQrfKZB_a8Nc03Y9UgOO1a5FsqziDgxfTvkNs80M6wTnZsGwGBOj2JkgamvCSJG6rSnLkSqalY-T0Z0YA04a94vnswc5p9eEHDhGa5mata-c/s200/100_1906.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-86291671112760980772010-06-11T08:32:00.000-07:002010-06-11T08:32:03.453-07:00Terms of EndearmentIn the past few months, Maiby has started calling a lot of people 'honey.' At first, I tried to get her to stop, because it was mainly me and it was a little bothersome. But then she started using it for a lot of people, especially when she wanted to know what was going on. "Whatcha doing, honey?" or "Whatcha need, honey?" Then it started getting pretty cute.<br />
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It's on longer honey, now, and I'm not sure how I feel about my 2-year-old calling me "babe".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-89153686446827952172010-06-03T14:17:00.000-07:002010-06-03T14:19:24.028-07:00FrustrationSo we have had internet at our place for about a week now, and it's great. But it has one <em>major</em> flaw - we get kicked off ALL THE TIME!! We are using a router, so we thought that maybe the concrete walls were interfering, even though there aren't doors between where the everything is set up, but even when we directly connect the computer to the modem it still kicks us off. <br />
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The point of me writing this is to let you know that I am reading my friends' blogs and trying to comment, but more than half the time they won't load (or load without the pics and background), and then they won't load correctly so I can't leave comments when I try. So congratulations to my friends who announced their upcoming third child, hooray to those who are moving closer to home, the Cirque du Soleil date sounded like a blast - I love those guys (we saw Mystere in Vegas), and I am enjoying a lot of other things that I've been reading.<br />
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I will keep trying and if we continue to have problems, we will be contacting our server or switching to another company...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-53385959443669128672010-06-02T16:51:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:51:32.237-07:00We Love it Here!We have really been enjoying getting settled here in Michigan...but the humidity takes a lot of getting used to; it's like going to a sauna fully dressed when you go outside. Some days are better than others, but we are hoping to adjust before too long.<br />
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So the trip here was pretty good. Thank you to all those who helped James pack up the truck - he said it was quick and easy. We spent the first night out in Billings, Montana at the Country Inn & Suites. It was the BEST hotel of the trip, and also the cheapest. I would definitely stay at that location again - there were free cookies, it was really nice everywhere, the beds were SO comfy, the staff was great, and the free breakfast had a lot of variety. <br />
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Then we drove and drove again. <br />
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NOTE: If you ever drive through North Dakota, stop at a rest area even if you don't need it. They are the nicest I have ever seen!! They were all clean, smelled good, automatic, and most were inside a very nice air conditioned building. And my mom talked to a lady who was cleaning one of the ones that were pretty average, and she cleans them 3 times a day! That is not a job I would enjoy - it's hard enough to clean my own bathroom.<br />
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We stayed in Jamestown, North Dakota and then Tomah, Wisconsin the next two nights. Nothing too superb or spectacular, although we <em>did</em> find a mexican restaurant that we will not be going back to...it was not good. <br />
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We stopped in Chicago and visited with my aunt and cousin for a short time, and then got back on the road so we could pull into our apartment complex with just enough time to sign the lease before she closed the office for the night. <br />
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Our apartment is pretty nice. We have 3 bedrooms, an attached garage, and laundry just off the kitchen. I really like it. There are a few things that are not my favorite, though: carpet in the kitchen (at least it's industrial-type and not plush), the bathroom sinks are too low and I have to bend down to wash my hands, and they are constructed of concrete & some of the rooms don't have much padding under the carpet, so you can't stand there for too long. Also, the tub is a little smaller than our last place. But it's bright and clean and we get a lot of natural light all day. And we overlook a pond and can listen to frogs croak all night. James made a good choice of a place to live.<br />
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And we are ALMOST done unpacking...I opened all of our book boxes today and started sorting through which ones to keep packed (like my yearbooks) and what to put out on the shelves. Hopefully that will be completed tomorrow. And I found the iron, so I can start sewing again. Woohoo!! We still have 3 or 4 boxes in our bedroom and then need to finish working in Scout's room and then we are pretty much done. It's pretty nice to not be looking at a tower of boxes in the living room, especially after having them in our last place for a couple months before we moved.<br />
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And we have enjoyed our ward - they are very welcoming and excited to have us here. And Maiby had fun in nursery her first week, which is a big plus. She played with the kids and wasn't too scared to just be dropped off right away. Hooray!<br />
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So that's the catching up from us for our first week and a half here. James started work yesterday and has enjoyed it so far, but it's mainly paperwork and safety stuff. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-40223660262301120702010-05-24T11:13:00.000-07:002010-05-24T11:13:35.166-07:00We Made ItSo we pulled into our new apartment complex in Michigan with just enough time to sign the lease before the office closed. And we had great help unloading the truck on Saturday.<br />
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But there is NO WAY we would have survived the trip (make that me, since James spent the whole trip in the truck) without the two angels known as 'Mom/Grandma' that came with us to help with the girls. Thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-4487418549517353812010-05-13T13:03:00.000-07:002010-05-13T13:03:21.944-07:00I Can't Believe ItIt's only a few more days until my years in Moscow end. I am a little sad about it, but the excitement of what is awaiting us is more powerful. I leave on Sunday, after spending 10 years here. I NEVER thought I would end up being here this long - it's the longest that I've lived anywhere in my entire life! I guess it's a good thing that I love it!<br />
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I moved to Moscow in 2000, as a 17-year-old college freshman, bright-eyed and eager for the opportunity to get a degree. And now, I'm leaving as a 27-year-old wife, mother, and recipient of a bachelor's and a master's degree. <br />
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It's hard to believe that so many things happened <em>first</em> here in Moscow - kissing a boy, cutting my own hair, living on my own, bouncing a check (luckily that's the only one), having a cell phone, James proposed here, and we have lived in 3 different places around town, 2 kids born here. <br />
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I love the way the town changes with the seasons - in the fall, the roads are crowded and it takes forever to get anywhere. In winter, there are big berms down the middle of the road from the snow. In the spring, people head outside and the frat boys on campus get out the kiddie pools, and then summer comes and the population seems to drop by more than half as so many students leave town. I will miss living in a college town; there are so many things to do, and many of them are not too expensive. <br />
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And I met a ton of great people and made great friends - some I lived with, some I knew at school, and some at church. And so many of them have impacted my life in great ways - they don't even know. <br />
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So thanks for the memories, Moscow! I will miss you. And hopefully we will make it back sometime to enjoy a burger at Zip's!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-75845872746444125852010-05-12T13:31:00.001-07:002010-05-12T13:31:22.127-07:00Free Float TubeIs anyone in Moscow interested in a float tube? We tried to sell it on craigslist a while ago, but no one was interested. And we don't really want to move it (again). So if you want it, please call or email me and it's yours!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-26829135175307110272010-05-05T19:57:00.001-07:002010-05-05T19:57:58.454-07:00Free MoneyLooking for a chance to win $1000?! Go to Dave Ramsey's website <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">here</a> and register - he's giving away $1000 every day this month.<br />
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Good luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-10569047591373091212010-04-28T16:52:00.000-07:002010-04-28T16:52:32.074-07:00Scout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here she is, in all of her 7 lb, 14 oz glory! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RNNLqjf4Lz9anvQpwtIFIJEX96XvPfKI4KQnwTL17EXjGhxCycT6CPEMF43c90cC1Gs_ZXyZqSi__FsXoinfxVlothnWmyQxaEnoOD_vy2-UYZM4qmoMC80EQF5PHgk0yS6DTuf-5ds/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RNNLqjf4Lz9anvQpwtIFIJEX96XvPfKI4KQnwTL17EXjGhxCycT6CPEMF43c90cC1Gs_ZXyZqSi__FsXoinfxVlothnWmyQxaEnoOD_vy2-UYZM4qmoMC80EQF5PHgk0yS6DTuf-5ds/s320/084.JPG" tt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27b1xnkf6u7QrEWDJIi759NurEauHFqqlf1AY7Eg5i78_EZYzFazSdefVwJj5ntcfoMyPo2tznDD4SEdo8HhXstoqgLxQx-TTyjtFTOF2fV0ZAVc0SP5MjARGgMrIpXKrXFeOyXJvQUs/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27b1xnkf6u7QrEWDJIi759NurEauHFqqlf1AY7Eg5i78_EZYzFazSdefVwJj5ntcfoMyPo2tznDD4SEdo8HhXstoqgLxQx-TTyjtFTOF2fV0ZAVc0SP5MjARGgMrIpXKrXFeOyXJvQUs/s320/099.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn0Qqf8LdJS4H4eXPkd0__wYTS79doS3Fj4z88CRY1ukJ__Up_EywHqyRp_Aplp65HChQsuZjuc8RGJ3gstvh-Zj5ez08Pt8kdVCFjO5xqHWFgzvLvbPMIUAAU3P-2gSN2wudAUxptMk/s1600/113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn0Qqf8LdJS4H4eXPkd0__wYTS79doS3Fj4z88CRY1ukJ__Up_EywHqyRp_Aplp65HChQsuZjuc8RGJ3gstvh-Zj5ez08Pt8kdVCFjO5xqHWFgzvLvbPMIUAAU3P-2gSN2wudAUxptMk/s400/113.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And what a good big sister!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-48903710611485715992010-04-24T18:12:00.000-07:002010-04-24T18:12:15.077-07:00It's Here!We have a new daughter! She was born early Friday morning and we named her Scout. <br />
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Pics and such to come soon...after I find the camera cord.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-24454121323843527992010-04-22T10:43:00.000-07:002010-04-22T12:48:03.761-07:00It Doesn't Add UpWhen I moved to Moscow in 2000, I started school at the University of Idaho planning on majoring in math. That plan fell through and I ended up going in a totally different direction that was probably a lot more fun (credit for mountain biking and rock climbing - can't beat that!). <br />
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But even though I didn't get a math degree, I still know that having contractions for 26 days + being 4 days overdue should equal a baby, not in yet <em>another</em> day of waiting. <br />
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And waiting...<br />
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And waiting...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-3650153323127703362010-04-16T21:14:00.000-07:002010-04-16T21:14:21.030-07:00Congratulations!James and I went to the Student Achievement Awards for the University of Idaho tonight. He had been nominated for two of the awards, but they don't notify the winners ahead of time, so we didn't know if he had won or not. <br />
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He did!! James won the Richard Gibb Award, which is given to an outstanding non-traditional student. <br />
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Congratulations, James! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-82685941348587454522010-04-12T12:25:00.000-07:002010-04-12T12:28:14.603-07:00PerspectiveI woke up this morning feeling a lot better - emotionally and physically. We talked about the power of God yesterday in primary, and how prayer can help us feel that power in ours lives. Thankfully, I did as we directed the kids to do, and it has made all the difference.<br />
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And a big <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Thank You!</span> to the friend who left a treat on my porch today - a great surprise to find after our shopping trip this morning!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-15361697434943507202010-04-11T15:48:00.000-07:002010-04-11T15:48:20.735-07:00TrialsSome things in life are tough, and that's to be expected. The difficulty I have, presently, is trying to figure out what it is I'm supposed to be learning right now as I am experiencing some rather unpleasant realities. This morning as I was waiting for Maiby to finish her breakfast, I was looking through the <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=a6246a008952b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">Ensign</a> and came across a great statement about trials. It's the article entitiled "He Will Take Upon Him Their Infirmities" by Elder Jean A Tefan.<br />
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In it, he references a scripture in Alma 7 that is about Christ. Verses 11 & 12 read: "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. <br />
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And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, tha the may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Elder Tefan then goes on to say that he read those verses in a time of trial and shifted the hurt and fear that he was experiencing to Christ. <br />
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That is something that I have always had a hard time doing - I have been very independent since I was a small child, and it's hard to admit sometimes that I can't handle certain things (and I find that especially true when facing trials). When I am suffering, more specifically right now, it's hard to remember that others have been through the same kind of thing. But I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that Christ has been through it - he experienced <em>this</em> pain and suffering <em>for me</em>. I am so thankful for His willingness to do that, and as I try to turn to heaven for the help I am seeking, I know I will find it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-20225755430405639702010-04-01T20:45:00.000-07:002010-04-01T20:45:36.730-07:00What Makes Them Think It's Okay?I am SO upset!! Someone stole my dryer!<br />
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Don't people know that there are unwritten, but CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD rules when using a shared laundry area? And that one is you don't steal a dryer that is currently in use?!! Why would someone think it's okay to take my wet clothes out of a running dryer and put their own in?<br />
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It's not my fault they missed out on the 3 good dryers. I took my laundry over and had to empty 2 washers in order to use them, but the clothes had been sitting for a little while - a little bit mildew-smelling. So I put one in the laundry basket on the washer and one on the cleanest washer. And, as always, set an alarm so I would pick up my stuff on time. Then I went down and switched my laundry PROMPTLY (one washer was still spinning when I walked in) and used 3 dryers so I wouldn't have to go back after 1 cycle. <br />
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But apparently someone had other ideas. And I don't appreciate it.<br />
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If I were a big more vengeful, I might put their DRY clothes - that's the proof that they stole my 50 cents (the cycle had run its course when I went to pick up my stuff) - into the sink and fill it up. <br />
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(un)Fortunately, I'm not that vengeful and venting here and later to James is the only payback I will give.<br />
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Piece of Junk!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-77112831477137259562010-03-31T15:14:00.000-07:002010-03-31T15:14:29.092-07:00SAHM's ROCK!I just finished reading Dr. Laura's new book, <u>In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms</u>, and it is awesome!! James and I made the decision before we got married that once we had kids, I would stay home, and we have been blessed to be able to do that. But it's not always easy (as I'm sure you all know), and it's great to hear other people sing the praises of an often put-down way of life. <br />
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I love being able to experience Maiby's life first-hand, and not have a day care worker, family member, or friend tell me the cute things she did that day. On Saturday, we were hanging out at home and just enjoying spending time together. James and I were on the couch talking and Maiby was playing with her toys. One of her new favorite things is her 'list' - a small, 25-cent spiral notebook. She is always drawing in it. While we sat on the couch, Maiby came up and asked James if he wanted some soup (also a game she really enjoys, but that's another story), and when he said yes, she make a mark on her list. She kept asking if he wanted something else and would make a mark each time he said yes. Then she turned to me and started taking my order. <br />
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If that food had been truly ordered at a restaurant, we would've ended up with some interesting combinations - soup, cornbread, chowder, sandwiches, cookies, and more (unfortunately, I was told that milkshakes were not an option). It was so great, and without experiencing that first-hand, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I do.<br />
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Read this book - if I could afford it, I would buy one for all the wonderful women in my life, but as it is, I got mine from the library, and the book is still terrific.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-33118168571105989352010-03-25T08:21:00.000-07:002010-03-25T08:21:16.546-07:00Lucky<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We use the word 'lucky' a lot in our house, and in a variety of ways. Sometimes we use it in reaction to something that really <em>is</em> lucky, like getting a donut at the store; sometimes it's used sarcastically after something undesirable happens, like spilling dinner on your shirt. The point is, we use it <em>a lot</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yesterday Maiby and I went shopping. She is getting too tall for size 2 pants, and only had 2 pair of size 3, so we went looking for a couple more pairs. We stopped at the mall first to check out prices and look for some deals, but the cheapest we found were still more than I wanted. So off we went to Goodwill, where we bought 2 pair for $3 - what a deal!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We got back in the car and I told her we would go to one more store (another thrift store that I hadn't been to yet), and she asked if we were looking for more pants. When I affirmed that we were, she said, "Lucky me, lucky me!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I hope she always has such a good attitude. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-33070442220337216132010-03-22T20:04:00.000-07:002010-03-22T20:08:03.882-07:00C-A-K-EMaiby and I spent most of last week at my mom's house. On Tuesday while Mom was at work, I made some rainbow cupcakes for her to take to her class for St. Patrick's Day. On Wednesday morning, Mom was frosting the cupcakes while Maiby and I ate breakfast. Maiby wouldn't eat much, so I was trying to coax her to have a little bit more. <br /><br />Then my mom, the ever-loving grandma, asked if Maiby could have some "C-A-K-E," to which I immediately said no (it was WAY to early in the day) and Maiby prompty said, "Cake?!"<br /><br />We were both amazed at her comprehension and it left my mom wondering if we would ever be able to spell words out while still trying to keep a secret from Maiby.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-36096415746101162010-03-16T07:47:00.000-07:002010-03-16T07:54:13.905-07:00Anyone Up For the Bible?So I just checked my email and then decided to look at the sites on my blog to see if there were posts to read by friends or others that I enjoy. I typed in my blog address CORRECTLY, and instead of That's Gross, Man coming up, I ended up viewing <a href="http://a1bible.com/">THIS</a> site. I was quite confused and checked the address bar, which was correct. Talk about weird!!! So I refreshed the page and was directed to the correct page, with the familiar background and everything that I had been looking for.<br /><br />Has this happened to anyone else?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-26968666044459127072010-03-12T08:50:00.000-08:002010-03-12T19:21:26.973-08:00Freebies for the Moscow FolksWe have about half of our stuff packed up ready for the move, and there are a few things that we are not wanting to take, so if anyone in Moscow is interested, feel free to come over/call/comment/email and take what you want. I put links to a few things so you have a better idea of what they are:<br /><br />-- charcoal BBQ (it's black and about 3-4' tall)<br />-- 6' bookshelf - the walmart special my Freshman year of college<br /><br />-- Rush Hour DVD<br /><br />-- Hymns CD's 13-14 (has all hymns #292-341 words and music)<br /><br />-- small red zippered purse<br /><br />It's not much, but it's the stuff that's headed to goodwill that I thought someone might be interested in. We will have it for a little while, so if you need some time to think about it, no problem.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-83136707353672407692010-03-04T10:00:00.000-08:002010-03-04T10:01:37.441-08:00Wedding Bells In the Air<div align="center">My little sister is getting married!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Congratulations on your engagement Stephanie!! </span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-82889328208744035052010-03-01T20:18:00.001-08:002010-03-01T20:24:31.741-08:00Making Rainbows & A Sad DayWe decided to make rainbows the other day. For each color, Maiby was given the choice of hearts or circles, and then chose where to put them - which is why her rainbow has a front and back.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443886712427900482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JhqrLJKXXDtf6OhfxmTFnxAiZiOsxTfSSS6hlT2n3jRfx5v21wH7Yw_ehPRkqp80tt-yQeneLZO8orR28fL-kkly1KN2ISpV_edfEa3KtirW0JYdWb2Pet2kZmlrqPkt8MjL-ul_ha8/s320/003.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443886698333474338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvQnC1GegFIMK8s0v45pl4ygbvy0SFzXN0KWs9if_2wn_oWzmsXy9qR_x4Y7TU2bjOdU7AI-7FqP0MSx0b8JKKw-m3x0r8FKt2ZxUG8PglpI4X-5Vt_efXNceHxO1NbG_Hji1PmCcpQI/s320/002.JPG" /><br />And here's my rainbow, out of half circles:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443886732431756834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JW3s687iI9cdlH7Wv8qMK8m89v2Wd6SYenhZQkTO_x2uUYeBdicwU-q92CMmfsEzlcRQD3ih76gcvtC9JcKDKU0E4DzkEoMY3ipzCE6PZulZ5h7yQ-c6n5b9tW1eKMmeF4l5P-qyxT8/s320/004.JPG" /><br />As for the sad day mentioned in the title, I finished my sewing projects that I told James I NEEDED to get done, so I had to pack up my sewing machine until after we move. I'm a little disappointed, but it will be great to have that stuff out of the way in the living room!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177243264942188060.post-84638659468237821572010-02-28T16:06:00.000-08:002010-02-28T16:14:23.321-08:00Things I've Learned from a Big Girl BedSo it's been a few weeks since Maiby started using her Big Girl Bed, and I have learned several things (I was thinking about this in the shower this morning, so I might not remember them all - that was a LONG time ago!).<br /><br />-- It is possible for her to be happy all day without a nap.<br /><br />-- Sometimes a nap in front of the door is better than no nap.<br /><br />-- Maiby can take off her pj's herself and pick out her clothes before we come in her room.<br /><br />-- She still needs help making the bed.<br /><br />-- Her binky and bear are on the shelf before she picks out clothes - it's probably step 2 of her morning routine, after turning on the light.<br /><br />-- Two weeks of not taking a nap takes it's toll on a little girl - she fell asleep in the car on the way home from church today and stayed asleep until we got in the house (she has not done that in well over a year!!)<br /><br />-- There is hope that she will sleep in the car when we drive to Michigan WOOHOO!!<br /><br />-- She just wasn't ready for a big girl bed when we tried before.<br /><br />-- She loves the freedom.<br /><br />-- We no longer need an alarm clock - she is up by 630 EVERY morning. And on days when we get up at 6, she's up & at 'em then, too.<br /><br />--If I change my reading time to her quiet time, I can still read the scriptures every day; but remembering to do so is a problem again, since it's not first-thing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0