tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54473900155053622172024-03-17T19:59:33.971-07:00our daily obsessionsAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-83740714528736707722014-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-06T00:00:08.766-07:00Mother's Day Gift - chalkboard flower pots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello. My name is Amy. And I've been VERY absent from this blog.</div>
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Hopefully, if I get my act together, you'll be seeing more posts in the near future.</div>
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I wanted to post this before Mother's Day . . . if there are any of you who need to give a last minute gift.</div>
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We made these chalkboard flower pots last year for our mothers and grandmothers.</div>
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And {I hope} they were loved!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzgmBHkfeaY/U2f8bkVh9nI/AAAAAAAATUA/zWavNlrKncI/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-05+at+2.02.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzgmBHkfeaY/U2f8bkVh9nI/AAAAAAAATUA/zWavNlrKncI/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-05+at+2.02.01+PM.png" /></a></div>
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It's pretty self explanatory.</div>
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Buy some terra cotta flower pots and chalkboard paint/spray paint.</div>
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After you paint the pot (it does need time to dry - 24 hours), place soil and beautiful flowers inside.</div>
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Then last, but not least, write a message to that special mother of yours.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHvb0FhX158/U2f-VUCcItI/AAAAAAAATUM/wjbl7vYYMkM/s1600/mothersdaypresent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHvb0FhX158/U2f-VUCcItI/AAAAAAAATUM/wjbl7vYYMkM/s1600/mothersdaypresent1.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
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In my humble opinion, handmade gifts are the very best!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-84992357715509832452014-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-04T09:27:51.298-08:00:: Nursery - sneak peek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Anson's nursery.</div>
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The colors. The simplicity.</div>
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There are many times when I catch myself staring at the world map,</div>
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imagining my family roaming far off places.</div>
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Maybe one day, but for now, I'm content with watching my baby sleep. Or cry.</div>
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Whichever he's wanting to do at that moment.</div>
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Life is grand.</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1abNMaFfiA/UvEdJdjzIZI/AAAAAAAATA4/2_T8_uyDrK4/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-04+at+8.58.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1abNMaFfiA/UvEdJdjzIZI/AAAAAAAATA4/2_T8_uyDrK4/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-04+at+8.58.35+AM.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.diapers.com/p/babyletto-hudson-3-in-1-convertible-crib-white-820473?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=DV-411&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&CAWELAID=1338799411&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=DV-411&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw={keyword}">crib</a>/<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70119430/">world map</a>/<a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/jute-boucle-rug-flax-t277/?pkey=cjute-rugs-natural-rugs&cm_src=jute-rugs-natural-rugs||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">jute rug</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-3195107891308737822014-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-28T14:18:26.800-08:00:: Deals - gap.com<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Right now, <a href="http://gap.com/">Gap.com</a> is having an amazing sale.</div>
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40% off of regular priced items and 50% off of sale/clearanced items!</div>
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It ends on the 29th (tomorrow).</div>
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This is when I like to stock up on the children's clothes for the next year.</div>
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Their winter stuff can be pretty affordable with sales like these.</div>
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I bought this dress for less than $15 and these shoes for $6 </div>
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as Ava's birthday dress.</div>
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So go over, now!</div>
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<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=78636&vid=1&pid=948581022"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFQbYFmolbU/UugdoSTU91I/AAAAAAAAStA/fVTK4RncBWU/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+1.13.21+PM.png" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=65279&vid=1&pid=585751012"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeIgW-Z97Ig/UugdAd-Gj-I/AAAAAAAASs4/8gtwU2rAbVE/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+1.11.07+PM.png" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=78636&vid=1&pid=948581022">dress</a>/<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=65279&vid=1&pid=585751012">shoes</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-67399080597614149352014-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-23T00:00:13.507-08:00:: Hair - twirl curls<div style="text-align: center;">
I've discovered this amazing makeup blog, <a href="http://www.maskcara.com/">Maskcara</a>.</div>
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Love, love, love it!</div>
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Not only does she have amazing makeup tips (that I definitely need),</div>
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but she also has some hair tutorials.</div>
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And there's always a need for that.</div>
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This is one tutorial that I love.</div>
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<a href="http://www.maskcara.com/2012/06/26/twirl-curls/">Twirl curls</a>!</div>
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You need to try it.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k62ebIfLqJ8" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-3570383339687176202014-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-22T20:28:16.528-08:00:: Refashion - girl's dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B55WtrZM-d4/Ut4X_8CYMwI/AAAAAAAASYg/pKhJuuUjUEk/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-20+at+10.46.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B55WtrZM-d4/Ut4X_8CYMwI/AAAAAAAASYg/pKhJuuUjUEk/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-20+at+10.46.32+PM.png" /></a></div>
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In 2012 when I was pregnant with Anson, I found a cute tunic on clearance at H&M.</div>
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I wanted to make it into a dress, so I bought two of them. </div>
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This is what I came up with and you can see the post <a href="http://www.ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2013/03/refashion-maternity-dress.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrGgpAsXRQc/Ut9lX8VggYI/AAAAAAAASZA/x7FtQFFgXKM/s1600/refashion1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrGgpAsXRQc/Ut9lX8VggYI/AAAAAAAASZA/x7FtQFFgXKM/s1600/refashion1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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After sewing the bottom half of the second tunic onto the first tunic, </div>
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I had a top half left over.</div>
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I decided to make it into a dress for Ava.</div>
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Friends. . . this is a top that I've been meaning to refasion for more than a year.</div>
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My poor sewing pile.</div>
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I was determined to finish it.</div>
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Almost a year and a half later. Ha!</div>
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I used another dress of Ava's as a pattern and just hoped that it turned out.</div>
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And luckily it did!</div>
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It looks darling on her.</div>
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And she's quite the little model.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI8yxiuKl5I/Ut4T3_wnKFI/AAAAAAAASYM/M4QC4Lj3JMs/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-20+at+10.27.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI8yxiuKl5I/Ut4T3_wnKFI/AAAAAAAASYM/M4QC4Lj3JMs/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-20+at+10.27.18+PM.png" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be sharing this <a href="http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/p/linking-parties.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-22812137608952660862014-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-30T22:27:36.807-08:00:: Home Decorating - the girl's room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's taken a few years to change the girls room up.</div>
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From a baby nursery to a little girls room.</div>
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And it's still not even how I want it to be.</div>
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But it will, someday soon.</div>
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Right now they're sharing a queen bed.</div>
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Reese loves it. Ava . . . not so much.</div>
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(they will eventually have their own twin beds)</div>
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We made their walk-in closet into a little play area/library</div>
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and their clothes are in the armoire (that we received for <a href="http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/04/craigslist-find-computer-armoire.html">free</a>, I might add).</div>
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It's definitely a work in progress, but we love it.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-27575836218842994512014-01-16T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-16T16:01:22.404-08:00:: New Year - goals and a free printable<div style="text-align: center;">
About a week ago, we were finally able to write down our goals for the new year.</div>
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A terrible cold that came my way, got into the way of anything and everything.</div>
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But we wrote them down even if some were in their princess dresses.</div>
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Last year I found a printable where we could write about our past year and our goals for the upcoming year, but for some odd reason, I didn't pin it!<br />
One for children and one for adults.</div>
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So, I just made my own for my kids.</div>
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The link can be found <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzU46nlgCYqUVEFCVVo1RWRxdUE/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwFKHuZFNNM/UtOPyvGST5I/AAAAAAAASVc/8ZeBFFqZ5OQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-12+at+11.02.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwFKHuZFNNM/UtOPyvGST5I/AAAAAAAASVc/8ZeBFFqZ5OQ/s640/Screen+shot+2014-01-12+at+11.02.11+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love that little Ava is finally able to write her own.</div>
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Her goals are pretty cute.<br />
"Learn how to sew" and her biggest goal was "to be obedient". Ha!</div>
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She'll thank me later . . . I'm sure of it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-20802806381807054942014-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-13T00:00:14.357-08:00:: A Belated Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh dear. It's been way too long. Again.</div>
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Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</div>
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We enjoyed our holidays and loved being with family.</div>
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Hope you did too.</div>
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Now to a new year.</div>
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And hopefully new blogging habits.</div>
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Life has been busy, but I really have missed . . . this. My blog.</div>
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So updates to come within the next few days!</div>
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Until then, I found an awesome deal on these <a href="http://www.babylit.com/shop-books/">Baby Lit primers</a></div>
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that I'm addicted to buying.</div>
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We already own 5 of them and I hope to have them all . . . someday!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0mo33qrdpU/UtOKNcf9JrI/AAAAAAAASVE/GU9StUjqiuw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-12+at+10.39.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0mo33qrdpU/UtOKNcf9JrI/AAAAAAAASVE/GU9StUjqiuw/s640/Screen+shot+2014-01-12+at+10.39.27+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/category/books+%26+gifts/home-giftswelove.jsp?cm_sp=TOPNAV-_-HOME-_-HOME-GIFTSWELOVE">Anthropologie</a>, they have them (just two of them) on sale for, well, they say $5.95,</div>
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but when I went to check out, they were $2.95!</div>
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An amazing deal that I needed to share!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-925546787058567132013-12-18T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-18T00:00:16.210-08:00:: Christmas - christmas dresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I didn't make the girls' Christmas dresses this year.</div>
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Surprise. Surprise.</div>
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I just don't know where the time has gone!</div>
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So I found some cute dresses from the <a href="http://www.gap.com/">gap</a> that I was able to get for $11 each,</div>
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well, using a 40% off coupon and some Old Navy bucks I had burning a hole in my pocket</div>
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and I think they were on sale when I ordered them too.</div>
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They aren't too fancy.</div>
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But I think they're adorable.</div>
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Timeless and classic.</div>
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That's what I like.</div>
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Perfect for my two little girls.</div>
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They can be found <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=78636&vid=1&pid=924841002">here</a> and <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=78636&vid=1&pid=689735012">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiGhy6SHwYg/UrEzovAsS_I/AAAAAAAASLk/XpMIT9GdgG8/s1600/avadress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiGhy6SHwYg/UrEzovAsS_I/AAAAAAAASLk/XpMIT9GdgG8/s640/avadress.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zC7y7RAOPJk/UrEzountptI/AAAAAAAASLo/86ZPmCukN2s/s1600/reesedress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zC7y7RAOPJk/UrEzountptI/AAAAAAAASLo/86ZPmCukN2s/s640/reesedress.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Where did you find yours?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-77832108118868264492013-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-13T00:00:10.281-08:00:: Christmas Tradition - the christmas express<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'd been wanting to start this ever since I found it on Pinterest a few years back.</div>
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Then my sister did it last year and I knew that the next Christmas it would be on the to-do list.</div>
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We had the girls get ready for bedtime,</div>
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but little did they know that we had blankets, bags of popcorn, hot chocolate </div>
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and their daddy and baby brother in the car awaiting them.</div>
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As they were getting under their covers they found this golden ticket.</div>
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Ava was so excited!</div>
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(Reese didn't really know what was going on - - she just gets excited when Ava does)</div>
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I punched their tickets and we were off!</div>
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We drove to a neighborhood that syncs their lights to songs on their own radio station.</div>
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It was awesome!</div>
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Then we drove through the neighborhoods nearby us.</div>
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Ava loved it and couldn't believe that we let her stay up until almost 10 (oops).</div>
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Reese was out as soon as she had finished her hot chocolate - - maybe she'll enjoy this tradition a little more next year.</div>
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Print out the ticket <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2011/12/mini-van-express-tickets.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7GBXm9CZQU/UqquRwS0qeI/AAAAAAAASJ0/7qZVz8MYWVY/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7GBXm9CZQU/UqquRwS0qeI/AAAAAAAASJ0/7qZVz8MYWVY/s640/IMG_3147.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxiSBDb7CXJ4Rxk0yB8nacsLyGZ8Uq5CDsXU6heXOwqD3juNiqfme_iMT658_8gOODL2XhSIcuspflWNaEAlg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-46059064293548934672013-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-10T00:00:15.349-08:0035 before 35 - #21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8V9zAeCJxo/Uqa8PLpVYxI/AAAAAAAASJU/FCHHh-raYtA/s1600/35by35%232.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8V9zAeCJxo/Uqa8PLpVYxI/AAAAAAAASJU/FCHHh-raYtA/s400/35by35%232.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This year, I was able to host our first Thanksgiving and </div>
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I was very excited to cross off <a href="http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/02/35-before-35.html">#21</a> off of my list.</div>
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My mom probably thought I was being sarcastic when I told her how excited I was.</div>
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I sorta like planning parties . . . not the hosting part so much, but the planning I love.</div>
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We took all of the furniture out of our dining room/family room area</div>
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and it was perfect for two long tables. (we would be having 17 adults coming . . . yikes!)</div>
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My budget wasn't very much, </div>
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so I had to use a lot of items that I already had around the house.</div>
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I did buy <a href="http://www.ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2013/11/hosting-thanksgiving-inexpensive.html">these tablecloths</a> and I'm pretty sure I'll get a lot of use out of them.</div>
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We used my china and my sister's china (they're very similar).</div>
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And the previous month, I inherited my grandmother's silverware and</div>
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we were able to use them for the first time (she was even here to enjoy them!).</div>
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We had a small dessert table that showcased all of the homemade pies.</div>
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And they were delicious!</div>
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Oh and the 10 children that were here were in the other room.</div>
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It was nice to have enough room to be in separate rooms.</div>
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Although the planning was enjoyable, my favorite part of the whole day</div>
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was us being together and eating as a family.</div>
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This doesn't happen very often.</div>
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(all of my siblings and their families were here except for a sister on a mission in Italy</div>
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and a brother and his family in Pennsylvania - - we missed them so much!)</div>
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We have been so blessed.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-90821445908655020312013-12-02T14:15:00.001-08:002013-12-02T14:49:22.967-08:00:: Cyber Monday - christmas card deals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Already December?! </div>
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I can't believe it. </div>
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Well, it's time to get those Christmas cards out soon and</div>
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since it is Cyber Monday, I found a great deal on some good, quality cards.</div>
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I LOVE <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/">cardstore</a>!</div>
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{And I'm not even getting paid to say this.}</div>
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I've used them in the past and have been very pleased with them.</div>
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Well, today, all of their flat cards today are $0.50!</div>
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{normally they're around $1.79 - - I don't pay that much. Enter code: <span style="background-color: white; color: #36424a; font-family: MuseoSans500Regular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">CCP3122}</span></div>
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And they'll give you free shipping if you buy more than $30 worth of cards.</div>
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Awesome deal!</div>
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And since I can never decided which one to get,</div>
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I usually buy 2-3 different designs.</div>
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Call me crazy.</div>
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I am.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-29554357833673596142013-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:002013-11-18T00:00:18.165-08:00:: Hosting Thanksgiving - inexpensive tablecloths<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You might be in the pickle that I'm in.</div>
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You're hosting Thanksgiving and you have a gazillion guests that will be coming.</div>
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{sound familiar?}</div>
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The last thing you want to do is spend a ton of money on tablecloths.</div>
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Am I right?</div>
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Well, I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LinenTablecloth-132-Inch-Rectangular-Polyester-Tablecloth/dp/B008TLJVSE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384740589&sr=8-1&keywords=90x132+tablecloths">these tablecloths</a> on Amazon that will be perfect to meet my hosting needs</div>
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and they'll also be nice to use for dessert tables.</div>
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$12.99 isn't bad at all.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3jwmrzU27A/Uol164JP2VI/AAAAAAAASDw/yKY6G4eSRDU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-15+at+8.57.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3jwmrzU27A/Uol164JP2VI/AAAAAAAASDw/yKY6G4eSRDU/s640/Screen+shot+2013-11-15+at+8.57.45+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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By the way, have I mentioned how excited I am to host Thanksgiving?!<br />
I can finally cross it off my <a href="http://www.ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/02/35-before-35.html">list</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-11357087625098072832013-11-15T00:00:00.000-08:002013-11-15T00:26:09.164-08:00::Thanksgiving Dinner - tablescape ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year we have family coming down for Thanksgiving</div>
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and I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner!</div>
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I'm so excited.</div>
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It's something I've wanted to do for awhile.</div>
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I'll finally be able to cross #21 off of my <a href="http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/02/35-before-35.html">list</a>!</div>
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So, now I'm trying to find ideas for the tablescape.</div>
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I'm thinking simple, woodsey and natural.</div>
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I love these ideas found below.</div>
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/499829258615487878/"></a></div>
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/203436108141626560/"></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CBF3g-TTz8/UoXWnXWWEYI/AAAAAAAASC8/a9tp4Oycqus/s1600/thanksgiving-tablescapes44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CBF3g-TTz8/UoXWnXWWEYI/AAAAAAAASC8/a9tp4Oycqus/s640/thanksgiving-tablescapes44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://www.sortrachen.com/impressive-thanksgiving-tablescapes/">via</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19a4fNyM80E/UoXW_3Y_gqI/AAAAAAAASDE/pzpoIAKLrpo/s1600/thanksgiving-tablescapes41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19a4fNyM80E/UoXW_3Y_gqI/AAAAAAAASDE/pzpoIAKLrpo/s640/thanksgiving-tablescapes41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://www.sortrachen.com/impressive-thanksgiving-tablescapes/">via</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CZ9sqmlO88/UoXXRVS9KTI/AAAAAAAASDM/iNn9dznw9lI/s1600/thanksgiving-tablescapes35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CZ9sqmlO88/UoXXRVS9KTI/AAAAAAAASDM/iNn9dznw9lI/s640/thanksgiving-tablescapes35.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://www.sortrachen.com/impressive-thanksgiving-tablescapes/">via</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpnG9caC4Ao/UoXY5zUuMSI/AAAAAAAASDg/SmV1RXmw1RI/s1600/DSC_0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpnG9caC4Ao/UoXY5zUuMSI/AAAAAAAASDg/SmV1RXmw1RI/s640/DSC_0763.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://griffanie.com/holiday-tablescape-design/">via</a>}</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-33785610439858304862013-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:002013-11-11T06:35:19.706-08:00hello.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ex9EmTmTXE/UoB-ZnCl-sI/AAAAAAAAR_k/nJ-_K3MfX1U/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-10+at+10.50.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ex9EmTmTXE/UoB-ZnCl-sI/AAAAAAAAR_k/nJ-_K3MfX1U/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-10+at+10.50.54+PM.png" /></a></div>
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Hello.</div>
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My name is Amy.</div>
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And I'm a blogger that definitely needed a break.</div>
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I think life just finally got to me.</div>
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Three kids, busy supporting my family, </div>
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and waiting for annoying Bar results (for the hubby), which has been very frustrating.</div>
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And everyday, I think about this little ole' blog of mine. . .</div>
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and how I've neglected it.</div>
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I don't know if anyone still reads it.</div>
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But if you do, I hope you feel inspired.</div>
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Inspired to be a better mother, a better wife, a better crafter, a better seamstress,</div>
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a better baker, a better home decorator, etc.</div>
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I'm here to stay!</div>
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And I hope you come back to see my upcoming posts.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-83451041244867862902013-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:002013-08-22T11:26:40.282-07:00:: Family Happenings<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, with school starting, summer has officially ended.</div>
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And we're working on getting back into a routine.</div>
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Kindergarten (Ava), dance lessons (Ava and Reese), violin lessons (Ava), </div>
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drooling (Anson) and continuing to enjoy our SoCal weather.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLV0Zbq193E/UhZWVifslvI/AAAAAAAARGs/iQqk8eunfhk/s1600/firstday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLV0Zbq193E/UhZWVifslvI/AAAAAAAARGs/iQqk8eunfhk/s640/firstday1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VsuoUse48M/UhZWRdEq1rI/AAAAAAAARGk/xTJ0gLkeI4Q/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VsuoUse48M/UhZWRdEq1rI/AAAAAAAARGk/xTJ0gLkeI4Q/s640/IMG_2450.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CR7iCZMXavw/UhZXMUyq0PI/AAAAAAAARG0/rkfbgCoCYH8/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CR7iCZMXavw/UhZXMUyq0PI/AAAAAAAARG0/rkfbgCoCYH8/s640/IMG_2444.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Still daydreaming about our trip to Lake Powell, though.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0pqiok2raA/UhZV7fQAn_I/AAAAAAAARGM/FfYuS8E0kQs/s1600/family1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0pqiok2raA/UhZV7fQAn_I/AAAAAAAARGM/FfYuS8E0kQs/s640/family1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-47900620541076307962013-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:002013-08-20T10:23:52.106-07:00:: Back to School - dinner and family theme 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, my <a href="http://pinterest.com/ourdailyobsess/back-to-school-traditions/">"back to school" pinterest board</a> has been filling up for the past few years.</div>
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And this was finally the year that I could start these fun traditions since</div>
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Ava has now started kindergarten . . . sniff, sniff.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_VN0c4rb2I/UhG2_OcNAsI/AAAAAAAAREc/zSZ0EurM0Zw/s1600/btsdinner20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_VN0c4rb2I/UhG2_OcNAsI/AAAAAAAAREc/zSZ0EurM0Zw/s640/btsdinner20.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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I'd seen the "back to school dinner and family theme" on multiple blogs.</div>
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I was able to incorporate ideas from <a href="http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2012/08/nielson-family-theme-2012-13-remove-any.html">Nie Nie Dialogues</a> and <a href="http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2012/08/nielson-family-theme-2012-13-remove-any.html">Ericas Blogity Blog</a>.</div>
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We told the girls that they needed to get their <a href="http://www.ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2013/04/easter.html">Easter dresses</a> on and that we were going to go somewhere special. Ava immediately asked me, "So which restaurant are we going to?" Ha!</div>
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They closed their eyes and we lead them outside.</div>
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So we had breakfast for dinner (on my china - yikes! . . . but figure that I should</div>
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start using it for special occasions), made some last-minute "back to school" crowns,</div>
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and Tommy and I came up with a family theme that we'll use throughout the school-year.</div>
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We were trying to think about a virtue that our family could work on,</div>
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especially with Ava now in school and making new friends.</div>
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And we decided on this virtue as our family theme: BE KIND</div>
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The quote that goes along with it (that we're having them memorize)</div>
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is "Kindness is the essence of greatness."</div>
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(which comes from a talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin that can be seen or read <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-virtue-of-kindness?lang=eng">here</a>).</div>
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We also watched this short video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUuexH-3dBo">here</a> and had the girls point out the </div>
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acts of kindness that were in the video.</div>
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Then I told them about our "Kind Jar".</div>
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Whenever they do or say something kind, we'll fill it up with cotton balls.</div>
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And when the jar is filled, they get a special treat.</div>
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I hope that throughout this next year, they learn that "Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes. </div>
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Kindness is the essence of greatness."</div>
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It was such a fun evening. </div>
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When we finished dinner, Ava gave me a big hug, told me that it was so much fun</div>
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and asked if we could do this again next year.</div>
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Definitely worth it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Do you have a "back to school" dinner and theme?</div>
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<br /></div>
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{I'll be linking to these parties <a href="http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/p/linking-parties.html">here</a>}</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-23692547336028713802013-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:002013-08-16T11:08:46.644-07:00:: Back to School - teacher welcome gift<div style="text-align: center;">
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So, I was at Target, in the dollar spot section, a few weeks ago</div>
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and found the CUTEST zipped, fabric bags. </div>
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They were only $3 and I thought they'd be perfect to hold all of our toothbrushes/toothpaste in for an upcoming trip.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And then I saw this "teacher welcome gift" and went back to Target and bought a few more.</div>
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What a cute idea!</div>
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We filled ours with pens, markers, glue, and a twix for Ava's teacher.</div>
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Go to the link below to get the free printable tag.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIpOXgIYMZk/Ug5nxPCCbII/AAAAAAAARBs/Je7J9ksq8-M/s1600/back+to+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIpOXgIYMZk/Ug5nxPCCbII/AAAAAAAARBs/Je7J9ksq8-M/s640/back+to+school.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
{<a href="http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2013/07/28/first-day-of-school-gift-from-target-and-free-printable-tags-teacher-gift/">Laura Winslow Photography</a>}<br />
<br />
Lately, I've found the cutest items in that dollar spot.<br />
So, go there . . . NOW!<br />
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And come back Monday to see our "Back to School" dinner and our family school-year theme.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-28912896822684605102013-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:002013-08-16T11:09:20.114-07:00:: Back to School - where I shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And . . . I'm back.</div>
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Back from a blogger's rut, back from a week long vacation and back from basically, just summer.</div>
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But now, my little one starts kindergarten on Friday and</div>
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we have to get back into a routine of things . . . if that's possible.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm really not ready for her to be going to kindergarten.</div>
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I haven't mentally accepted it.</div>
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Maybe because it means she's getting old, I'm getting old and I'm not ready for any of that.</div>
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But I guess that's what life is all about.</div>
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----------------------------</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, for the past 4 months, I've been slowly buying her new school clothes.</div>
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And these are where I've bought them all (on clearance, of course, well, most of them) . . .</div>
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<a href="http://www.jcrew.com/sale.jsp"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ0_hXBQZvU/Ugxnm6DLinI/AAAAAAAARA8/rSlwYocjTlQ/s640/jcrewlogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{I only shop in their clearance section - - and ONLY when they are having an additional 30-40% off of the clearance items, sign up for their e-mails. Shipping is free for sale items.}</div>
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/?"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwOsuP5D_gc/UgxnLqZexYI/AAAAAAAARAs/LotpsnDP-Rs/s640/oldnavy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{usually only shop their clearance items, with an exception of one outfit for this year. </div>
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And if you have an Old Navy card, the discounts are even better.}</div>
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<a href="http://www.ruum.com/ruum/category/sale"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0Uf9DuXiWM/UgxnuQnKlzI/AAAAAAAARBE/VKfdIkv15oU/s320/ruum.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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{and I just heard of this company, where have I been? . . . in their clearance section, I found a cute pencil skirt for $3.99. Shipping is $7}</div>
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<a href="http://www.target.com/"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77Pu9Guhxu0/UgxnLu1gMKI/AAAAAAAARAg/biDwHEPWt6g/s640/Target-logo.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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{I usually stalk target's clearance sections and have found some awesome deals here}</div>
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I didn't make it to H&M</div>
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(but it's probably a good thing I didn't since their children's clothing is to die for)</div>
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Where do you shop for back to school fashions?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-25908479365422885122013-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-24T00:00:10.264-07:00:: Obsessions - thrift stores/estates sales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tUHXB003Ps/Ue9r4AcygCI/AAAAAAAAQ9E/UprzXZvGAno/s1600/IMG_2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tUHXB003Ps/Ue9r4AcygCI/AAAAAAAAQ9E/UprzXZvGAno/s640/IMG_2365.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Every week after I drop Ava off to violin lessons, Reese and I jaunt on over to the </div>
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nearest thrift store. We aren't able to spend too much time there, but just enough to have a good walk through before we have to pick her up.</div>
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It doesn't look that amazing, but you should see some of the gems I've found here.</div>
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Love this place!</div>
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And while we're on the topic of used goods, </div>
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I also have to confess that I have a new obsession. . . estate sales.</div>
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Can't wait to show you all some things I've found to decorate the girl's room with.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-28413915040611173522013-07-19T15:23:00.000-07:002013-07-19T15:23:39.719-07:00:: a few of my favorite things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm still alive. Just busy with summer.</div>
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Earlier this month I had a birthday.</div>
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And lucky for me, I received two things off of my "things I want" board</div>
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{from pinterest}.</div>
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Hmmmm. I think I need to be pinning more "things I want".</div>
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So here's what you do.</div>
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Make a "things I want" board.</div>
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Start pinning like crazy.</div>
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And then share it with your family and friends.</div>
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And I bet you'll receive something off of that board, for your birthday.</div>
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Give it a try!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY0nCSeCoE0/Uem6Hg6UkhI/AAAAAAAAQ5g/qh98ENRueQA/s1600/cakestand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY0nCSeCoE0/Uem6Hg6UkhI/AAAAAAAAQ5g/qh98ENRueQA/s640/cakestand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.oldtownimports.com/shop/index.php/symphony-cake-stand-platter.html">Symphony Cake Stand from Old Town Imports</a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqfFrOtnLLg/Uem6HshvIgI/AAAAAAAAQ5c/B_NwKuSWjaw/s1600/lisaleonard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqfFrOtnLLg/Uem6HshvIgI/AAAAAAAAQ5c/B_NwKuSWjaw/s640/lisaleonard.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/always-a-mother-necklace-P793.aspx">always a mother necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/367/EE32CA279BA7BE91CEBC96886CADE260.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-41619560937421179402013-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-10T00:00:00.420-07:00:: The Birthday Project<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2iRNe0Uaso/Udz2LJ32JaI/AAAAAAAAQ3c/_TU4N27Ncfo/s1600/birthdayproject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2iRNe0Uaso/Udz2LJ32JaI/AAAAAAAAQ3c/_TU4N27Ncfo/s640/birthdayproject.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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A few years ago I was on pinterest and read about <a href="http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358">"the birthday project"</a>.</div>
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So for my birthday last year, I decided I was going to do it.</div>
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Instead of thinking of myself on my birthday, I was going to think of others and serve those around me.</div>
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And I'm not lying to you when I say that it was the BEST birthday I'd had in my 32 years.</div>
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Ava and I went around and did 32 random acts of kindness.</div>
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And I decided that this needed to be a tradition.</div>
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So last week I turned 33 years old.</div>
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And my service buddy came out with me again.</div>
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Ava was pretty excited . . . and Reese came with us to do a few of them.</div>
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I want each of my children to learn the joy of serving others</div>
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and what better way for them to learn it by helping/watching me do it. </div>
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Go <a href="http://www.ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/07/birthday-project_06.html">here</a> to see what we did last year.</div>
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And here's what we did this year . . . </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yp7WSd0_MvY/UdzlYJUGUcI/AAAAAAAAQ3A/VKg66cZNzT4/s1600/IMG_2277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yp7WSd0_MvY/UdzlYJUGUcI/AAAAAAAAQ3A/VKg66cZNzT4/s400/IMG_2277.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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I was brought yummy cinnamon roll pancakes in bed . . . and I shared it with my little ones.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q-Vd44iz0w/UdzlVMnc2SI/AAAAAAAAQ2w/oPzE9du6NdM/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q-Vd44iz0w/UdzlVMnc2SI/AAAAAAAAQ2w/oPzE9du6NdM/s400/IMG_2276.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I sent a card to a relative who's been having health issues.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4EFEDQmVOA/UdzkdzaT_dI/AAAAAAAAQzc/2isyHYXQXz8/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4EFEDQmVOA/UdzkdzaT_dI/AAAAAAAAQzc/2isyHYXQXz8/s400/IMG_2244.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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I took the girls with me to exercise, so that Tommy could study. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KO-GmN8BOc/UdzkYwsB8hI/AAAAAAAAQzE/djaoHgrPmPk/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KO-GmN8BOc/UdzkYwsB8hI/AAAAAAAAQzE/djaoHgrPmPk/s400/IMG_2245.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We left a note on someone's car in the parking lot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZim2JRIC2E/UdzkUTFJlXI/AAAAAAAAQy8/XPrcVqtRQsk/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZim2JRIC2E/UdzkUTFJlXI/AAAAAAAAQy8/XPrcVqtRQsk/s400/IMG_2246.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We gave some cold water to our pool attendant. She was so gracious.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMf2d0ynpo/UdzkdS7-I8I/AAAAAAAAQzQ/uzDJgcujfSE/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMf2d0ynpo/UdzkdS7-I8I/AAAAAAAAQzQ/uzDJgcujfSE/s400/IMG_2247.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We went to a nearby park and picked up trash.</div>
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{they always have a 4th of July celebration here the weekend before my birthday . . .</div>
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so it gets pretty trashed}</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o37Wxb7VP_c/UdzkifZHkUI/AAAAAAAAQzw/iM6EEwgS3uA/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o37Wxb7VP_c/UdzkifZHkUI/AAAAAAAAQzw/iM6EEwgS3uA/s400/IMG_2249.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Ava chose a toy at the dollar store and left a dollar on it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fdoPh3NUxc/UdzkiCvpL3I/AAAAAAAAQzk/5DsMqwa-wg4/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fdoPh3NUxc/UdzkiCvpL3I/AAAAAAAAQzk/5DsMqwa-wg4/s400/IMG_2250.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We left a quarter on the pay phone . . . are these still used?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGkwx1dd9_Y/UdzkibCvpbI/AAAAAAAAQzo/2Lfp10w4qO8/s1600/IMG_2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGkwx1dd9_Y/UdzkibCvpbI/AAAAAAAAQzo/2Lfp10w4qO8/s400/IMG_2251.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We left a note on the mirror in a bathroom.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixTpUg4S5r4/UdzklCaFd4I/AAAAAAAAQz8/IkbcSW9nSnk/s1600/IMG_2252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixTpUg4S5r4/UdzklCaFd4I/AAAAAAAAQz8/IkbcSW9nSnk/s400/IMG_2252.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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And a note on the diaper changing table.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMJNWjErT70/Udzkn5RTIEI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/wwx2eZ98Er4/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMJNWjErT70/Udzkn5RTIEI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/wwx2eZ98Er4/s400/IMG_2253.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We left coupons on items I wouldn't be buying.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_-ChxC56uE/Udzkm_Ek4nI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/m0lePRDMhuo/s1600/IMG_2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_-ChxC56uE/Udzkm_Ek4nI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/m0lePRDMhuo/s400/IMG_2254.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
We bought the grocery attendant a candybar . . . Ava was too embarrassed to give it to him. Ha!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym2oLVhxlFM/Udzkpm5EzuI/AAAAAAAAQ0U/nBp1ZsHlqGM/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym2oLVhxlFM/Udzkpm5EzuI/AAAAAAAAQ0U/nBp1ZsHlqGM/s400/IMG_2256.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We left popcorn on the RedBox.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmWE4FPJ6aU/UdzksUddaSI/AAAAAAAAQ0c/l0CBZkkEe8A/s1600/IMG_2257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmWE4FPJ6aU/UdzksUddaSI/AAAAAAAAQ0c/l0CBZkkEe8A/s400/IMG_2257.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We put shopping carts away in the parking lot. Although, the cart guy was out there and was wondering <span style="text-align: center;">why we were doing his job. Lucky for him, it was my birthday.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJI5HyLLAOI/Udzkw-ppQ2I/AAAAAAAAQ00/ym4N2iiN9aA/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJI5HyLLAOI/Udzkw-ppQ2I/AAAAAAAAQ00/ym4N2iiN9aA/s400/IMG_2258.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Left some money at a gas pump.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SaBxzQe3aI/UdzkvjxpZnI/AAAAAAAAQ0k/NNV-aLdItKU/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SaBxzQe3aI/UdzkvjxpZnI/AAAAAAAAQ0k/NNV-aLdItKU/s400/IMG_2259.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Let some cars go in front of me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOoTfFljgTI/Udzkv-U0tvI/AAAAAAAAQ0s/HPVntieGWGA/s1600/IMG_2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOoTfFljgTI/Udzkv-U0tvI/AAAAAAAAQ0s/HPVntieGWGA/s400/IMG_2260.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Took some clothes to the nearest thrift store.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzxHrEcTGZ4/UdzkzWb3M1I/AAAAAAAAQ08/tgWLjdbvlSc/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzxHrEcTGZ4/UdzkzWb3M1I/AAAAAAAAQ08/tgWLjdbvlSc/s400/IMG_2261.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Left money for someone at the carwash.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vusjox5K2rU/Udzk2yJF1_I/AAAAAAAAQ1M/tzhkSObxMZs/s1600/IMG_2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vusjox5K2rU/Udzk2yJF1_I/AAAAAAAAQ1M/tzhkSObxMZs/s400/IMG_2262.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Went through my boxes and boxes of girl clothes and gave a bag to a friend that will be </div>
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expecting her first. Look at Ava's face . . . it was hot out there.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri4Sm2ZT4UM/Udzk0GCTEPI/AAAAAAAAQ1E/x_7BvJx0lis/s1600/IMG_2263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri4Sm2ZT4UM/Udzk0GCTEPI/AAAAAAAAQ1E/x_7BvJx0lis/s400/IMG_2263.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Picked up our babysitter and Ava gave her a candybar.</div>
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Ava drew a picture and we taped it to the mailbox.</div>
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I'm sure we'll hear about this at our next HOA meeting . . . "No taping anything on the mailbox!"</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLf-rw8JHDg/Udzk9c5ZU5I/AAAAAAAAQ1c/BJfuJj6eRgs/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLf-rw8JHDg/Udzk9c5ZU5I/AAAAAAAAQ1c/BJfuJj6eRgs/s400/IMG_2267.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Left the mailman some cold water.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJiiSp_IxiA/Udzk71wMaTI/AAAAAAAAQ1U/9KA0coyAwvo/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJiiSp_IxiA/Udzk71wMaTI/AAAAAAAAQ1U/9KA0coyAwvo/s400/IMG_2268.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Left a dollar in a finance book at the library.</div>
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Read quite a few books to the girls at the library.</div>
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Made a yogurt stop and left a tip in the jar.</div>
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Left some coins on a washing machine.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mp73sbNihbg/UdzlFqZeJTI/AAAAAAAAQ2E/lNWi8FX8dFA/s1600/IMG_2272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mp73sbNihbg/UdzlFqZeJTI/AAAAAAAAQ2E/lNWi8FX8dFA/s400/IMG_2272.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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While in the laundromat, there was a homeless man and I gave him a bottle of water.</div>
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Bought the missionaries in our church giftcards to subway. They loved it.</div>
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We had bought a vegetable tray and brought it to the nearest fire station.</div>
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They let Ava sit on the firetruck and then gave her a coloring book and pencil.</div>
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Reese wouldn't go near the guys. Four to five times this past week, she'll put on her sad face</div>
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and tells us that she didn't want to go on the fire truck. She cracks us up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IjTuQXPkgc/UdzlSNsyiYI/AAAAAAAAQ2o/8dtfcG7W9m8/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IjTuQXPkgc/UdzlSNsyiYI/AAAAAAAAQ2o/8dtfcG7W9m8/s400/IMG_2278.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We went to an early movie so that Tommy could go to his softball game.</div>
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Aren't I a sweet wife. </div>
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We doorbell ditched some neighbors and left some yummy popsicles on the doorstep.</div>
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Hope they saw them before they melted.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q972d83WY1o/Udz6SJOAS-I/AAAAAAAAQ3s/13ZLGqnIgmE/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q972d83WY1o/Udz6SJOAS-I/AAAAAAAAQ3s/13ZLGqnIgmE/s400/IMG_2320.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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Arranged for flowers to be brought to my mom for giving birth to me 33 years ago.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fN64GYlcQo/Udz6S-knITI/AAAAAAAAQ30/HpkhNoqwWFk/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fN64GYlcQo/Udz6S-knITI/AAAAAAAAQ30/HpkhNoqwWFk/s400/IMG_2319.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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Wrote a message to someone on facebook who has been faced with trials recently.</div>
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
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"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."</div>
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-Aesop</div>
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Give it a try . . . your birthday will be better because of it.</div>
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Go here to learn more about <a href="http://www.thebdayproject.com/index.html">The Birthday Project</a>.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-86533062951010139412013-07-05T15:18:00.000-07:002013-07-05T15:18:47.453-07:00:: Family Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tfU1KMwcq0/UddD9TucLhI/AAAAAAAAQys/g80FGDOABM8/s1600/topLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tfU1KMwcq0/UddD9TucLhI/AAAAAAAAQys/g80FGDOABM8/s640/topLogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 16 weeks, I'm going to be running this Half Marathon and I am so excited!</div>
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Still trying to talk Tommy into it.</div>
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It's in Vegas at the end of October.</div>
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Which gives me 16 weeks to train.</div>
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Here we go.</div>
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Do you have any tips?</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-65311026961473209652013-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-05T15:07:08.656-07:00:: Happy 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Vfzy6Fe3O8/UdUMZmkl42I/AAAAAAAAQyc/wzCFIFFriAY/s640/america.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Vfzy6Fe3O8/UdUMZmkl42I/AAAAAAAAQyc/wzCFIFFriAY/s640/america.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/155655730841720497/">via</a>}</div>
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Freedom doesn't come for free.</div>
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It has to be fought for and conquered.</div>
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On this 4th of July may your hearts be filled with love for your nation, </div>
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compassion for your fellow Americans</div>
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and the determination to work hard to make this country better than it already it.</div>
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Happy 4th of July!</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447390015505362217.post-6684936415217419482013-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-01T08:56:16.278-07:00:: Party Tips - milk bottles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I absolutely love planning parties. </div>
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And since having children, I've planned quite a few.</div>
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So, at least once a month, I'm going to share some party tips</div>
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that will help you in planning your awesome parties.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXukDqd0Uwk/UdEjMEwZTrI/AAAAAAAAQxU/qjk28b22rQA/s1600/party50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXukDqd0Uwk/UdEjMEwZTrI/AAAAAAAAQxU/qjk28b22rQA/s640/party50.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I love using paper straws. And if you're using cool paper straws, </div>
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then you need a container that is equally as cool, right?</div>
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Well, I always loved those glass milk bottles, but they were too expensive for me to buy.</div>
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Then one day I was grocery shopping and noticed these cute, Starbucks frappuccino bottles.</div>
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But they're $5-$6 for about 4 of them. And that was a little too expensive for me.</div>
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So, in the city I live in, we have a few facebook "garage sale" sites </div>
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where people are able to sell/buy things.</div>
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I asked if there was anyone who drank starbucks frappuccino and if I could have their bottles.</div>
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Well, I received a reply . . . from my neighbor! {who goes through many each week}</div>
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So, she's been supplying me with these awesome glasses that I now use for each of my parties . . . </div>
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and the best part is that they were free!!!</div>
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You will need to let them soak in hot, soapy water for about 30 minutes to take off the label</div>
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and then use a scouring pad to remove the sticky residue, but it's totally worth it.</div>
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Follow me on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/1709998/our-daily-obsessions">Bloglovin'</a>.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650609998213199821noreply@blogger.com1