tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10796691129916203402024-03-05T06:23:55.697-05:00Say What?This is the story
of our family, and all of our adventures!Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-52046342577604056392015-08-03T20:48:00.003-04:002015-08-03T20:48:45.086-04:00When you dont know what to say...This weekend, as I was enjoying the fruit of my sons amazing weekend with <a href="http://adventuresinhearing.blogspot.com/2015/08/we-may-be-addicted-but-it-is-all-right.html" target="_blank">track,</a> I was struggling to sleep.<br />
Something wasn't right, and I didn't know what. well, at about 11 pm, on Saturday, I realized what was wrong. My childhood friend, a bridesmaid in my wedding, someone whom I had once shared everything with, had lost her brother.<br />
He was too young to die, and something made it hard to know what to say.<br />
I posted on Facebook my expressions of sorrow and love.<br />
But that wasn't enough for me.<br />
I sent a text:<br />
"I know I haven't been a great friend, but I love you, I m sorry, and I am here."<br />
"Thank you" was the response.<br />
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My friend who lost her father just over a year ago, and now her brother had the strength to say "thank you"<br />
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I felt horrible.<br />
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As kids, I had had a crush on her brother, laughed with her about it, and spent many hours with her doing silly and normal teenage things. She was in my wedding, and was always a part of my life. She is always the life of the party. Happy, smiling, and loving. She is beautiful, and strong.<br />
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I do not know what to say.<br />
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never have.<br />
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and I always end up saying something stupid.<br />
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so instead, today, I am asking you to help this family.<br />
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Amanda is solely responsible, and it is a heavy burden.<br />
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Our high school friend Amanda (H) has set up a GO FUND ME page to help the family.<br />
You can find the link here: <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/5d3uvce8g" target="_blank">go fund me </a><br />
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I never know what to say, but I do know life is too short to be cut shorter. I am praying for peace and understanding. I am also asking for support and love.<br />
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~ MelendyMelendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-84394083441206040892015-08-03T20:46:00.002-04:002015-08-03T20:51:04.203-04:00we may be addicted, but it is all right!Our boys had an amazing weekend at the Needham Youth Classic. They ran in events that were familiar to them, and tried new events as well.<br />
Logan is our distance runner. He ran the 3000m race on Friday night and completed it in a PR time of 12:51. He came in Second for his age but took two minutes off of his previous time. he also came in first for the 800m race walk. and second in his age for the 1500m and the 800m.<br />
Caleb ran a PR in the 1500m race with a time of 6:28, and came in second for his age on Friday night. He also decided that being a part of the Heptathlon was something he wanted to do. He competed in 7 events and came in third in his age group! He worked really hard. He even placed in the high jump (8th) with a jump of 3'4". and placed 6th in the shot put with a throw of 21 feet, which is a PR for him, and he has worked hard for that!<br />
Aaron competed as a six year old, and that meant he had a few fewer activities he could compete in, but he did very well. He came in second in the 800m race walk, and placed well in his other events.<br />
I am so proud of the hard work and dedication they put in to this season. They may not have won every event, but they are young, and for their first year or competitive track and field they did amazing! We are so proud!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan with his first place for his age group in the 800m race walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron with his medals form the Friday night races </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb hurdling! he worked so hard for this moment!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boys with their medals!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boys out for dinner after the race!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What a great weekend!<br />
~MelendyMelendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-91166604879739256542015-07-30T15:46:00.000-04:002015-07-30T15:46:46.424-04:00A day at the beachIt has been two years since I spent a day on the beach with my boys.<br />
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I love the beach.</div>
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It is my favorite place.</div>
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Peaceful.</div>
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When you are in the ocean, you are in the water that connects every shore. That is so amazing to think about. </div>
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My BFF <a href="http://www.aisforadelaide.com/" target="_blank">Chelley</a> and I have been talking about a beach day since May! We knew it had to happen this summer, but our schedules have been crazy, and so we made a plan over a week ago to go! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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We had food, water, blankets, an umbrella, and sunblock.</div>
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2 moms, 7 children, and a mission- have fun! </div>
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Well, it was a perfect day. </div>
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This little piece of ocean is quiet, very small waves, and not overcrowded. </div>
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We parked and got each of the children to help carry something. </div>
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And away we went. </div>
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We set up blankets, made sure food was in the shade of the umbrella, and headed to the water. </div>
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From here it was splashing, swimming, running, and just loving the water. </div>
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Some of the kids love swimming, </div>
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And for some it meant overcoming fears, but she had help...<br />
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And was swimming in no time</div>
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We buried people in the sand: </div>
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And made a pool on the beach:</div>
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We also were all in the water, even the moms! </div>
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Addie loves to splash, and that laugh is infectious!</div>
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And it must be in the family because Millie loved to splash and laugh too! </div>
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So does mom! </div>
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Seaweed was overcome, </div>
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And brothers were being brothers- </div>
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And truly, it was a wonderful day. </div>
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We laughed, didn't cry, played, didn't worry, smiled, and just enjoyed being together! </div>
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At the start of the day we thought it was a bit intense to have this many kids with two moms, but at the end of the day, you can do whatever you think you can, so we did! </div>
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We packed up, and headed out (which included towel shelters for changing into clothing!) </div>
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And before we had even started the cars, the tiniest among us was doing the one thing that 6 out of 7 would be doing before we got home, sleeping! A sure sign of a great day!</div>
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Enjoy your summer days! We are!</div>
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~Melendy </div>
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Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-65198087304869532442015-07-29T20:59:00.001-04:002015-07-29T21:49:29.548-04:00Why can we not just be humans?I had an amazing time today with my BFF (do I sound like a teenager?)<br />
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We went to the beach with my sons, my nieces, and my friend's children. </div>
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Her oldest daughter has Achondroplasia. Not sure what that is? Well you can find that out here:<a href="http://aisforadelaide.com/about/the-first-post/" target="_blank"> A is For Adelaide</a></div>
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And I have to say, our day was almost ruined, and I didn't realize it. </div>
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I spent a large part of today playing photographer. I was grabbing candids and group photos and watching the children (all 7 of them!?!?) move about. </div>
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Well at one point my friends daughter Addie was playing in the sand and I didn't notice it at first. She is not my child, so my senses were not tuned in to it. </div>
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But then I did.</div>
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I noticed it.</div>
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I realized that the man of a couple was taking a picture of his woman, but there was no way he was getting his woman in the frame. (BTW I am a trained photographer) he was aiming for Addie.</div>
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A CHILD.</div>
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A HUMAN BEING! </div>
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Why? </div>
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Because she looks a little different? Because she is shorter than your child? </div>
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Because she is amazingly beautiful and even brought her own paparazzi? </div>
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Who knows. But I made sure that my face or butt were in every one of their pictures, essentially ruining the chance of them getting a "good shot".</div>
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But why did I have to? </div>
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Because some people aren't human. </div>
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Some people think it is ok to photograph others without their consent for their own pleasure/ amusement. </div>
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And some people are just assholes. Period. </div>
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So, the next time you go to take a photo of that person who is doing something different/ looks different/has colorful hair/ or is just not like you, imagine how you would fee if you saw pictures of you on the internet because someone wanted to laugh at you. </div>
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No matter your intent, someone will get hurt. So think twice, and grow up. </div>
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And if you find someone else is doing this, stop them. For them and you, and the person you might hurt. </div>
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~Melendy </div>
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P.S. You won't find pictures here as I thought that made my point pretty clear. </div>
Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-33636647706802189582015-07-28T21:34:00.001-04:002015-07-28T21:39:46.282-04:00Like A Fish Out of Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJIvxDBONfdBnXYrK-xYyLnmsTe4PQHENJodWd9Rt8kSVsd-fIhbebZyf5zZ1DuvxbChIwsdPKRqAzC26Mw-BCFjA3LbnlEl_0nJS2igWGGU6xZgFOIX-Oa43F56R0WUnsHnSdVib8TY/s640/blogger-image-1457156919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJIvxDBONfdBnXYrK-xYyLnmsTe4PQHENJodWd9Rt8kSVsd-fIhbebZyf5zZ1DuvxbChIwsdPKRqAzC26Mw-BCFjA3LbnlEl_0nJS2igWGGU6xZgFOIX-Oa43F56R0WUnsHnSdVib8TY/s640/blogger-image-1457156919.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>I am an asthmatic.<div>It started when I was in middle school running track and field. </div><div><br></div><div>It hasn't stopped.</div><div><br></div><div>I need to take a daily maintenance inhaler every morning. </div><div>It costs a decent amount of money every month. However, I am not in the hospital with every illness so it saves me over time. </div><div><br></div><div>I ask take a rescue inhaler. Only when needed, but often you will see me fifteen minutes before a run taking a puff to prep my lungs. </div><div><br></div><div>I have been working hard lately to better my body. Not just lose weight. Be stronger, run farther, plank longer, strengthen my core, and ultimately put only good things into my body. </div><div><br></div><div>Every morning Steve and I have a protein shake. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzrghRfIsmD_0nSsjMq2hcT3Km0budJ1LnrSOx-hFYPrr9O-Avw6_Y-90neC454jQu7gnfNtn9dOUKM5kQNCl2ATJZGkzCdadpJf9-7gAgBLp0dm8gHco-DMV9zoiv2hKKBjL0czc2zw/s640/blogger-image-81130949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzrghRfIsmD_0nSsjMq2hcT3Km0budJ1LnrSOx-hFYPrr9O-Avw6_Y-90neC454jQu7gnfNtn9dOUKM5kQNCl2ATJZGkzCdadpJf9-7gAgBLp0dm8gHco-DMV9zoiv2hKKBjL0czc2zw/s640/blogger-image-81130949.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we eat veggies and chicken sausage and drink a gallon of water a day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We still will order takeout, but it is sushi, avocado and cucumber salad. and burrito bowls with no burrito shell. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We run. He runs more than I do, but we run. Tonight we ran together, and did these crazy strength things in between each quarter mile. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbZyyCzbO7bCr5DoCQ0mlcv4NMfaySZVBkY2LETchdooPavWcUsWTlzX29Q8HfC2By9v9KE4TuDwWk3EzCvDXaJwMIdFsyRvCGb0z0jXL3vre695ixScObmp5swxip-vpIJ5TE7Pnk3U/s640/blogger-image--1989207921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbZyyCzbO7bCr5DoCQ0mlcv4NMfaySZVBkY2LETchdooPavWcUsWTlzX29Q8HfC2By9v9KE4TuDwWk3EzCvDXaJwMIdFsyRvCGb0z0jXL3vre695ixScObmp5swxip-vpIJ5TE7Pnk3U/s640/blogger-image--1989207921.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ran in an obstacle course race on Saturday. And truly walked a lot, but ran harder and further than I had been and I didn't take my inhaler before hand. My running partner had to keep stopping and walking with me. I felt awful that she had to stop for me. This runner who could have done this race in 45 minutes spent an hour and a half on the course because she wasn't leaving me behind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't want to be the anchor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't want to quit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I want to be better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I cannot get rid of asthma. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Asthma cannot define me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I run every week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I train every day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I count my calories, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spend time being better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I have noticed that as I have gone from 225 pounds to 207 pounds, my rescue inhaler is less necessary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I do not need it during a run. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I need to strengthen my lung for endurance, but running is not causing me asthma attacks, anxiety about having an asthma attack, but not an asthma attack. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like a fish out of water,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am learning to breathe and exercise differently than what I "thought I could do. I am pushing myself out of my comfort box. And I am going. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaUsKhcE7KCp7aNNdfYhNln14uB1ku-mxgFH2azv5kgHfxzNnRik4MYDUlB-FvA66lIiAxWr9BVe4PbvbE1YX9ifkyosb9A2bfhWNAY0-NBULgdAPvXqx5wB6MGjSyR2iuIwC9I4aIrU/s640/blogger-image-528216403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaUsKhcE7KCp7aNNdfYhNln14uB1ku-mxgFH2azv5kgHfxzNnRik4MYDUlB-FvA66lIiAxWr9BVe4PbvbE1YX9ifkyosb9A2bfhWNAY0-NBULgdAPvXqx5wB6MGjSyR2iuIwC9I4aIrU/s640/blogger-image-528216403.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I apologize to those that feel they need to hold back and stay with me, however, you are helping me in ways you could never realize. The moms from track, my running partner and her super fit self and super fit friends, and my husband. Even though I yell when he tells me how to do something, I am learning that he cares! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cheers to you in your workout, your life, and whatever is hid g you back! Chuck it in the "f@#£ it bucket" and get going! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love to you! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How do you better yourself when you hit a wall?</div></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-31386500794163103852015-07-22T12:58:00.001-04:002015-07-22T21:14:54.829-04:00Summer funThis summer I am not working at camp. After two summers dedicated to the staff and campers there, I needed a summer off. <div>A summer to spend with my kids</div><div>With my husband, </div><div>A summer to make memories</div><div>I am making dinners, packing lunches for day trips, sitting by the pool, building projects, and redecorating the house.</div><div>I am spending time with my children like I haven't before. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyAsY-qi_MIdBLqBmHtut7lvxk45FfmLADWXlrkabTZSThB4CMsNl9R7zybxtfSt08cX5n8kJtCm_ueOTCVLUDIC1OZG06PVAQdBwrEXy_6nNvnmh6zQfXa34kQI2LHXb5UvZZoJg56A/s640/blogger-image-1496143604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyAsY-qi_MIdBLqBmHtut7lvxk45FfmLADWXlrkabTZSThB4CMsNl9R7zybxtfSt08cX5n8kJtCm_ueOTCVLUDIC1OZG06PVAQdBwrEXy_6nNvnmh6zQfXa34kQI2LHXb5UvZZoJg56A/s640/blogger-image-1496143604.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am able to help my family make a safer and more fun playground for my moms school, my work, but also my heritage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoSB4B7RtJHNGcBOWf0bVpI1Bbfdb5hkuh6qv_g6w49UohVLryoRPm-F2OdpoeSDUnKZkn3XAnM0hb2gR-X_9QXf2a10LztXf0KnJjNIaXVPzodMfNrjrAiz5uYC5SXu3-vCbBbLSA9k/s640/blogger-image--780016843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoSB4B7RtJHNGcBOWf0bVpI1Bbfdb5hkuh6qv_g6w49UohVLryoRPm-F2OdpoeSDUnKZkn3XAnM0hb2gR-X_9QXf2a10LztXf0KnJjNIaXVPzodMfNrjrAiz5uYC5SXu3-vCbBbLSA9k/s640/blogger-image--780016843.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYv_LxZL8RMKXP_5UiLzFCaIyyqnm7VC8DczzaGHJ56alshplRJYOwkMUH80KX8mBXgL8SMGVEUmFBLS5QpZDUO9nGIO6MW3b8EkW1Zw03zUCsdTaDSohmea1c1SfR_cfBCncvWM-B74/s640/blogger-image--1457689382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYv_LxZL8RMKXP_5UiLzFCaIyyqnm7VC8DczzaGHJ56alshplRJYOwkMUH80KX8mBXgL8SMGVEUmFBLS5QpZDUO9nGIO6MW3b8EkW1Zw03zUCsdTaDSohmea1c1SfR_cfBCncvWM-B74/s640/blogger-image--1457689382.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYv_LxZL8RMKXP_5UiLzFCaIyyqnm7VC8DczzaGHJ56alshplRJYOwkMUH80KX8mBXgL8SMGVEUmFBLS5QpZDUO9nGIO6MW3b8EkW1Zw03zUCsdTaDSohmea1c1SfR_cfBCncvWM-B74/s640/blogger-image--1457689382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpgnI4YQh_cu44ZbJ2sOD6ismqJU5QByZtQFXkBxrqmXExqjnvWiGu9YqL6MndvU8RufMAajP5hdHXnvw7SSeKN0UXnMleh8WeAr1x1qxSs88yVEA_BxjE2dSQtv0xgTZXmYMXeUyPd4/s640/blogger-image--969248858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpgnI4YQh_cu44ZbJ2sOD6ismqJU5QByZtQFXkBxrqmXExqjnvWiGu9YqL6MndvU8RufMAajP5hdHXnvw7SSeKN0UXnMleh8WeAr1x1qxSs88yVEA_BxjE2dSQtv0xgTZXmYMXeUyPd4/s640/blogger-image--969248858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We still have a lot of work to do, but it is amazing what you can get done in a few days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also got to go on an adventure with some friends to the cape:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFKPcgnu56AdiolBjX-nxumhtqgumHvSoam1fKtGUZVgd_YsIfMgJv4VNJQDzgCpeTbgD8GDr8QkAEKV-q3i9tQlwIbfrsRoKRkdyQGel2AdoAATjplMSDK8pv2fccEEaBk7atnwaqhg/s640/blogger-image--1411175069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFKPcgnu56AdiolBjX-nxumhtqgumHvSoam1fKtGUZVgd_YsIfMgJv4VNJQDzgCpeTbgD8GDr8QkAEKV-q3i9tQlwIbfrsRoKRkdyQGel2AdoAATjplMSDK8pv2fccEEaBk7atnwaqhg/s640/blogger-image--1411175069.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbNBGJ_-QlsCBT_rEm5u6_yZFXo9Vfp-iogEVGihDoEm4_YrrChf83P1DwEkdS4Y_JIGXz_0n_nySuHXD2q9DNW56d5GtXSFqtzRTnog0YBQl-A-3lpodrPpcmXwDXj6rvfOk69GyuqE/s640/blogger-image-266407277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbNBGJ_-QlsCBT_rEm5u6_yZFXo9Vfp-iogEVGihDoEm4_YrrChf83P1DwEkdS4Y_JIGXz_0n_nySuHXD2q9DNW56d5GtXSFqtzRTnog0YBQl-A-3lpodrPpcmXwDXj6rvfOk69GyuqE/s640/blogger-image-266407277.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8AqLwemQlJQMmXU_UALiD3bcrANbq-5336XzuxLzz6efQcm6TEyYMCt8AriJKH1q2TFz_vPVwkfof0yII8I0a_eNM-DGd0OKtcIBDMuJUgRj-7_1uCrhvLdHV-J9UaqR__waj2D_8iY/s640/blogger-image-1590392411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8AqLwemQlJQMmXU_UALiD3bcrANbq-5336XzuxLzz6efQcm6TEyYMCt8AriJKH1q2TFz_vPVwkfof0yII8I0a_eNM-DGd0OKtcIBDMuJUgRj-7_1uCrhvLdHV-J9UaqR__waj2D_8iY/s640/blogger-image-1590392411.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And swim together with the kids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLmxpfjUpvHSPSnjKIt7DOIbKCliM-wmQmj3nu0QvIIX519C1rrg7xPyOdLF2uRNAc5uvma00tW6F74RuWJe3WqPcjkVve76uHFwTESMMZYgU8WBUOEgX47deYSktiEi9lFvWUKTheIg/s640/blogger-image--1606682125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLmxpfjUpvHSPSnjKIt7DOIbKCliM-wmQmj3nu0QvIIX519C1rrg7xPyOdLF2uRNAc5uvma00tW6F74RuWJe3WqPcjkVve76uHFwTESMMZYgU8WBUOEgX47deYSktiEi9lFvWUKTheIg/s640/blogger-image--1606682125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are getting to go to the movies, arcades, and the zoo with friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP-Gaf5ifueIp7XkfcxyGvvL9d7ht6cVzW-ORfN4fz5T_WhO_VFn9wgQ7JIHbu3inEpB-aktOGbKb_sR2XZSDQPZMk7X3F-HJUFGoGYB37FD1kWQJkas8oSQGktt2pOrjs08NaKL-2J8/s640/blogger-image-158829215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP-Gaf5ifueIp7XkfcxyGvvL9d7ht6cVzW-ORfN4fz5T_WhO_VFn9wgQ7JIHbu3inEpB-aktOGbKb_sR2XZSDQPZMk7X3F-HJUFGoGYB37FD1kWQJkas8oSQGktt2pOrjs08NaKL-2J8/s640/blogger-image-158829215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I have time to work on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To work out, to play,to read, and to just be still.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif77NQqRjb7qQaN3Q5MURqqrk0lyOvx1dKPPXfSyRG4EYmW6DT8eO0O0zlKpXWh706MyYK0jW-MYt-G3n3PuhnsoE5HoGZtt_zH-oa_YaUQ8KzU1OK7S4vLxVOecQl4wdWoevcEykSfuY/s640/blogger-image--768603999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif77NQqRjb7qQaN3Q5MURqqrk0lyOvx1dKPPXfSyRG4EYmW6DT8eO0O0zlKpXWh706MyYK0jW-MYt-G3n3PuhnsoE5HoGZtt_zH-oa_YaUQ8KzU1OK7S4vLxVOecQl4wdWoevcEykSfuY/s640/blogger-image--768603999.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Time for the kids to picnic, and for me to plan, and to go on vacations, and to just be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So enjoy your summer with all you got! Go swim, run, play, build, cook, read, and relax! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Enjoy it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~Melendy </div><br></div>So, what are you doing this summer? </div><br></div><br></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-73093068769971845652015-07-06T21:53:00.001-04:002015-07-06T21:53:54.262-04:00Say what!?!?So anyone who follows me in Facebook or even Instagram or Twitter knows I have upped my workout/ heathy food posts. <div><br></div><div>Well, there is a very good reason for that! </div><div>This man: </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufPt3kEYheQ3gOmZBGotzmk_D_YuKdWKCbdk2THus-cNO99QO9q_C19_5WQgK-pkBTk41bSXThWqVhHmrbQtLvZi4sqNL65vGyrI0lqh1TgZc10DRZ156ISeo-yLh-_0d6atESaifIwc/s640/blogger-image--72568442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufPt3kEYheQ3gOmZBGotzmk_D_YuKdWKCbdk2THus-cNO99QO9q_C19_5WQgK-pkBTk41bSXThWqVhHmrbQtLvZi4sqNL65vGyrI0lqh1TgZc10DRZ156ISeo-yLh-_0d6atESaifIwc/s640/blogger-image--72568442.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The father of my children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The man I married almost 13 years ago,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The man I started dating over 17 years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He is the reason.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2 weeks ago he was officially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The man who runs every day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The man who goes to the gym at 4AM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seriously</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This man...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well. It isn't just fat people who get type 2. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It can be heredity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Life choices</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or just "luck"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He has it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">His numbers are horrible and well, I am his wife</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is up to me to "fix it"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is my fault...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I should have helped him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But how</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Steve has never had to diet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He has never had to watch what he eats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He has never worried about anything he has eaten...EVER!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now, he is lost</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I have to help him find the shore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We live in an age of technology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I list every calorie I eat on an app in my phone, I log every step, every mile, every activity, and every picture/grade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He has never worried about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I weigh WAY too much, he is in target range</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am a couch potato, he hardly eats potatoes, and yet he needs me to save him, to keep him alive, to help him save his vision/limbs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">ME!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After years of me relying on him, he NEEDS me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I crumbled under the weight of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How do I fight his need to eat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How do I?!?! Have any authority when I can't control what I eat and do?!?!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How can I save him...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well. I decided to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am making him healthy meals, making myself healthy meals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Critiquing every thing he eats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Helping him remember to log</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Getting angry when he eats too many carbs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Getting sad in Private that he will not eat like he should...that he will die...that I will be alone... But no tin front of him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He needs me to be strong</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so, you may see </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3dtNMGdTlNm3AnkW_WkBMMCr54J8BDs4YHhhJ_ynJXSMF21l9O5x4MY7J9qB5xIqzptJDcg1-pXpLf0493xiVKoYyhwoQVXnD9RpBkHANQsGnACIgg1Ys7ZMaUpXUL8scL-GTcQzkkI/s640/blogger-image-1228975623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3dtNMGdTlNm3AnkW_WkBMMCr54J8BDs4YHhhJ_ynJXSMF21l9O5x4MY7J9qB5xIqzptJDcg1-pXpLf0493xiVKoYyhwoQVXnD9RpBkHANQsGnACIgg1Ys7ZMaUpXUL8scL-GTcQzkkI/s640/blogger-image-1228975623.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6tbI7c5VQyl5NKhBegWr41x02t50x6TndP95rRM21Sbx9OVVAtWCaSQtXCQEtg0qaAyEcQ6u8bbS9qkzZ76vugMMftG0pmeM5FTHfNhjRKiQcGxd6d9jcStvSOjZlqVp-uq0RokGZFU/s640/blogger-image--432892005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6tbI7c5VQyl5NKhBegWr41x02t50x6TndP95rRM21Sbx9OVVAtWCaSQtXCQEtg0qaAyEcQ6u8bbS9qkzZ76vugMMftG0pmeM5FTHfNhjRKiQcGxd6d9jcStvSOjZlqVp-uq0RokGZFU/s640/blogger-image--432892005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or even this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcMS7bkC4Cfmgb4yoivHWuTQFK6Qy-XxCPEKME3pCtQkqI7wqLV7gsTTq-3_52yJseVdgE4QnRexZWeSw2lzDzmSfefCMYljs-N4X6Yco-PKS_9MWGtoF-LL606rwSFnqxKevHlirafA/s640/blogger-image-1123001296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcMS7bkC4Cfmgb4yoivHWuTQFK6Qy-XxCPEKME3pCtQkqI7wqLV7gsTTq-3_52yJseVdgE4QnRexZWeSw2lzDzmSfefCMYljs-N4X6Yco-PKS_9MWGtoF-LL606rwSFnqxKevHlirafA/s640/blogger-image-1123001296.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B cause if I am going to help him, I have to change me as well. And well, I love him, a lot, and so it is worth it. The fight, the struggle, the sacrifices, all for him, for me, for US, and for our kids... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I fight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So excuse the mess while I am a work in progress, as is Steve. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you have any tips on how to help him or me adjust, few free to post/comment! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We love your love!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIg3Ka39H_-KB-hD-hoe2d1JSvOVZjzfG7MXOi2XCHLLyGg4UHfcYGVH65E2TXVDVo16duw68D5sT3obh8XM-nABtye5Vom3FgNX6DU7jnIXy3JjUzoRIWZbI9A_GnnWXT8TVejWRfwQ/s640/blogger-image-336661360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIg3Ka39H_-KB-hD-hoe2d1JSvOVZjzfG7MXOi2XCHLLyGg4UHfcYGVH65E2TXVDVo16duw68D5sT3obh8XM-nABtye5Vom3FgNX6DU7jnIXy3JjUzoRIWZbI9A_GnnWXT8TVejWRfwQ/s640/blogger-image-336661360.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~Melendy </div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-85991116932303869822015-06-14T10:18:00.001-04:002015-06-14T10:25:30.636-04:00The end...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWua3K8F6DGd2F1PQNABsMM-iLG_DHTuVKDyI-G1s6ff3r3gHxje9etRsv5XpUrDlVaw1CVDvVK-5tk24WOt6rlVxL7d2l2kzOecVqLL5_BoVb0IaQ1PPIlejcFGY1cmIiY2E10TpE0Gk/s640/blogger-image-1376621511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWua3K8F6DGd2F1PQNABsMM-iLG_DHTuVKDyI-G1s6ff3r3gHxje9etRsv5XpUrDlVaw1CVDvVK-5tk24WOt6rlVxL7d2l2kzOecVqLL5_BoVb0IaQ1PPIlejcFGY1cmIiY2E10TpE0Gk/s640/blogger-image-1376621511.jpg"></a></div>This school year was a whirlwind. And we have been so on the move, that writing has taken a back-burner. <div><br></div><div>The end of the school year was chaotic, entertaining, emotional and a relief. </div><div>We had a wonderful experience at BCa, and the fact we are not returning is bittersweet. Seeing empty halls was strange, but I know the Lord has a different path for us. </div><div>So, for the end of the school year the boys were in a production, <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gOztNRPtAAKQH9McBDUzu8iile7aHZlVDyJOiG35dmlOxJ0kE5Lw5Xb3mqRvlbOwtWkeacjt2H75nF6bTZE4LmNRw0LJkfBU4kB-4HNgt3r1AdFhTQpAUxI4CHh8DcO-lzzK6RcBVjY/s640/blogger-image-680579223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gOztNRPtAAKQH9McBDUzu8iile7aHZlVDyJOiG35dmlOxJ0kE5Lw5Xb3mqRvlbOwtWkeacjt2H75nF6bTZE4LmNRw0LJkfBU4kB-4HNgt3r1AdFhTQpAUxI4CHh8DcO-lzzK6RcBVjY/s640/blogger-image-680579223.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Caleb was in the spelling bee...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbi_WezZpUXPQIth_6_i6Wysx755tGBU2jk_N_ES_FgN_8p6Y817shFe2kkkeEv3ysZirNarOpaM_XMwhiIA8NP_9KgHrewQDKxXI1sdp4DR6wMJdUiwywMh0nFnDyzsnv2jGGuvUdzQ/s640/blogger-image--889922417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbi_WezZpUXPQIth_6_i6Wysx755tGBU2jk_N_ES_FgN_8p6Y817shFe2kkkeEv3ysZirNarOpaM_XMwhiIA8NP_9KgHrewQDKxXI1sdp4DR6wMJdUiwywMh0nFnDyzsnv2jGGuvUdzQ/s640/blogger-image--889922417.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took my students to Old Sturbridge Village</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEnl8cnqX06ZZ7tQWQJMMhVg5tE4XrTBgfl-fRi1dAEOCbn5xJy9hPVVwGY4B70Y2BRCTOjLPok1kRKyhGPBzEa8Hy_rk7TamGnqYJ_tKWvobfCnxxwzDOjRy9qsCUB-FJd9MF6J5wFI/s640/blogger-image-1987716626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEnl8cnqX06ZZ7tQWQJMMhVg5tE4XrTBgfl-fRi1dAEOCbn5xJy9hPVVwGY4B70Y2BRCTOjLPok1kRKyhGPBzEa8Hy_rk7TamGnqYJ_tKWvobfCnxxwzDOjRy9qsCUB-FJd9MF6J5wFI/s640/blogger-image-1987716626.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Steve had a birthday </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRdD2GdKXK0SM_6KzF2gjY2JG7bz77Vd1QIRrRlhmcjEVOldvMG5-k-cHTptJDRqJHXElU8UQKmNWKiMPBiTM5VpRUCb6NW8z1TSm9xIGgjffob7mGQNAxO60RIJCjuyeO_b2V9S_dgY/s640/blogger-image-588542248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRdD2GdKXK0SM_6KzF2gjY2JG7bz77Vd1QIRrRlhmcjEVOldvMG5-k-cHTptJDRqJHXElU8UQKmNWKiMPBiTM5VpRUCb6NW8z1TSm9xIGgjffob7mGQNAxO60RIJCjuyeO_b2V9S_dgY/s640/blogger-image-588542248.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Aaron graduated kindergarten</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyrkyiM-nJlQvGtFlvTMbJzxxoLiZOw2o_ji79jNA07hBNqiFRYuWAPFqI45E3q036n2jn93aacf_dRk_busFqgMAACoJdBRkdqlphfE77ciOEQ4Y9uEl4ll9TEQ-PMPf0bisV35ros4/s640/blogger-image-1133423264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyrkyiM-nJlQvGtFlvTMbJzxxoLiZOw2o_ji79jNA07hBNqiFRYuWAPFqI45E3q036n2jn93aacf_dRk_busFqgMAACoJdBRkdqlphfE77ciOEQ4Y9uEl4ll9TEQ-PMPf0bisV35ros4/s640/blogger-image-1133423264.jpg"></a></div>We had our end of year piano recital</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkMySmS7h8ilrX-Xw9XDYL8P7xENlF1E7qlWyCly_EqTu1XIxt9XAu7eeRskOgKIdXscXn1pADTCHBRIJtWDxwtHsOdXuYvgBhEXM2ic2TmtLrs4UJdmiZ_Pol_dJSJo7tWqtZgznHOA/s640/blogger-image-585783920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkMySmS7h8ilrX-Xw9XDYL8P7xENlF1E7qlWyCly_EqTu1XIxt9XAu7eeRskOgKIdXscXn1pADTCHBRIJtWDxwtHsOdXuYvgBhEXM2ic2TmtLrs4UJdmiZ_Pol_dJSJo7tWqtZgznHOA/s640/blogger-image-585783920.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJosBWSXy3bNGg72cocj9sydu74ay7d_wxv2pGjWtjpMzwPIuUtco-rp8YUQjXfLBTp69KBAqDDQUzTQ37t_7eDJNk7XZjLfrNIUItT50UoIxwI-5isiUDDFraWw0btAjM4nlrUAf3LY0/s640/blogger-image--366544150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJosBWSXy3bNGg72cocj9sydu74ay7d_wxv2pGjWtjpMzwPIuUtco-rp8YUQjXfLBTp69KBAqDDQUzTQ37t_7eDJNk7XZjLfrNIUItT50UoIxwI-5isiUDDFraWw0btAjM4nlrUAf3LY0/s640/blogger-image--366544150.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeubPcltsQVplF0sn0yVl1vkNLZrHhdtJNJb8LmFysIB9cP2AhfKgz_OfS2V3QdDRJQ9jY-KdkOcz0HkZVWVXClIRpT6toMxpkGwzkuzCoAdf_3yRFxwd6i6VHVw4y8YJ3-RTqUmGUj8/s640/blogger-image--1507971379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeubPcltsQVplF0sn0yVl1vkNLZrHhdtJNJb8LmFysIB9cP2AhfKgz_OfS2V3QdDRJQ9jY-KdkOcz0HkZVWVXClIRpT6toMxpkGwzkuzCoAdf_3yRFxwd6i6VHVw4y8YJ3-RTqUmGUj8/s640/blogger-image--1507971379.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even got a picture of all 6 of my parents grandchildren:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApX9FEMAX_f9TtbIPB9Gn7d0G1dvqklICJKFMaOKbM_Hd5M7KBdy5bX0BoLDp21tV513-vPyfcjiMqfQAJXYvQK3PGvT_xZOIB0yVSTjeLSbjTfClPQdUxNdb1epN_0-6dYKWKaJd1p0/s640/blogger-image--2057947226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApX9FEMAX_f9TtbIPB9Gn7d0G1dvqklICJKFMaOKbM_Hd5M7KBdy5bX0BoLDp21tV513-vPyfcjiMqfQAJXYvQK3PGvT_xZOIB0yVSTjeLSbjTfClPQdUxNdb1epN_0-6dYKWKaJd1p0/s640/blogger-image--2057947226.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we had field day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP4TQzo0ITkb-KpdXcbQT8ZFUHIoGrdRqWHIxMvLN1y28x74zp6TLVfApmPnHtGVJuvedaMhJuuqOobOl8xFMJzbkfz0VXXU3hJClW_WQp95pRbCmVShCcZM1ILhxvV4lo2OvhxGBaaI/s640/blogger-image-1491280338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP4TQzo0ITkb-KpdXcbQT8ZFUHIoGrdRqWHIxMvLN1y28x74zp6TLVfApmPnHtGVJuvedaMhJuuqOobOl8xFMJzbkfz0VXXU3hJClW_WQp95pRbCmVShCcZM1ILhxvV4lo2OvhxGBaaI/s640/blogger-image-1491280338.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHraVNFHaGdEHfPIkghJVG-AxVbvNAHfArCPutPPqpdCQDr6wLPtwCnPQgg158eBoU4p9JagaDyKExwIswx-8yBr2czCQDN5zokjj2SqdRcFFd2nDSiRsWIyjuZrkXkhHq2pElCfFqw/s640/blogger-image--1094354894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHraVNFHaGdEHfPIkghJVG-AxVbvNAHfArCPutPPqpdCQDr6wLPtwCnPQgg158eBoU4p9JagaDyKExwIswx-8yBr2czCQDN5zokjj2SqdRcFFd2nDSiRsWIyjuZrkXkhHq2pElCfFqw/s640/blogger-image--1094354894.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHraVNFHaGdEHfPIkghJVG-AxVbvNAHfArCPutPPqpdCQDr6wLPtwCnPQgg158eBoU4p9JagaDyKExwIswx-8yBr2czCQDN5zokjj2SqdRcFFd2nDSiRsWIyjuZrkXkhHq2pElCfFqw/s640/blogger-image--1094354894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpKifJ717gVR5XQ1hNEOtjOxZs8ppTqPNF2bToo_xQDrYngc73oJu7-eF-dxDik-RwUkjC9CGKd1e1h85RuUpOXbM7K8kDTaZBodFD2_uee-K37-6aIhspw6XX3gLleQ1BuDmyet8_hQ/s640/blogger-image--530753027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpKifJ717gVR5XQ1hNEOtjOxZs8ppTqPNF2bToo_xQDrYngc73oJu7-eF-dxDik-RwUkjC9CGKd1e1h85RuUpOXbM7K8kDTaZBodFD2_uee-K37-6aIhspw6XX3gLleQ1BuDmyet8_hQ/s640/blogger-image--530753027.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Track banquet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi3l77JlCx17T12IM620jmDOcaeGRVKBabYgBTgghasGAcICKZ47LZftAkSEPxHgqBkxc6ibKsULHScqttQuBcJy51UUTRYoDy5ReTdvdhlpGdXsaAFLD4S11sgcyQrFowjI4fEb7bas/s640/blogger-image-1567776046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi3l77JlCx17T12IM620jmDOcaeGRVKBabYgBTgghasGAcICKZ47LZftAkSEPxHgqBkxc6ibKsULHScqttQuBcJy51UUTRYoDy5ReTdvdhlpGdXsaAFLD4S11sgcyQrFowjI4fEb7bas/s640/blogger-image-1567776046.jpg"></a></div>The last full day of school and awards for Caleb </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVVl-L9XJGWSSDl73cGRe82ZtoLQuujY1xQrq98HjU2a8Q2kswa7ssACrh21W8pEM7RSGCgcEdZ4qdbYcIBT_2Wg_CDX2JodPRJWg6Ag99TC8HVC1sK7LFN6X3swkqQ8vGeH6uKo9zNs/s640/blogger-image--242514273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVVl-L9XJGWSSDl73cGRe82ZtoLQuujY1xQrq98HjU2a8Q2kswa7ssACrh21W8pEM7RSGCgcEdZ4qdbYcIBT_2Wg_CDX2JodPRJWg6Ag99TC8HVC1sK7LFN6X3swkqQ8vGeH6uKo9zNs/s640/blogger-image--242514273.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrx6JUiFA1asXppo6ZLbt3stYwLHdRw8riN_F5SAWt7SoPit2p62J8BiiIpa1UAt7w2ZrJapr0lp84-NOQf7M03zOWcAwNG3CsTdN3-_2dzN2OuT0Cp0j3oazNH8xfffrmx9r5DM5568/s640/blogger-image--820193632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrx6JUiFA1asXppo6ZLbt3stYwLHdRw8riN_F5SAWt7SoPit2p62J8BiiIpa1UAt7w2ZrJapr0lp84-NOQf7M03zOWcAwNG3CsTdN3-_2dzN2OuT0Cp0j3oazNH8xfffrmx9r5DM5568/s640/blogger-image--820193632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZA0Fz_hwEpe9E4zo529NQaUv13F9E7KVSfhm8aUnasnJBOE1MF3-aa6UtUGlTYtAGuD_OYDB1illYQ56EcfzDH8iINlICrhiMQODMwFiOYImO3RoDsGOHYNOYXsixbZb5zHFB1Z64k4/s640/blogger-image--142501515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZA0Fz_hwEpe9E4zo529NQaUv13F9E7KVSfhm8aUnasnJBOE1MF3-aa6UtUGlTYtAGuD_OYDB1illYQ56EcfzDH8iINlICrhiMQODMwFiOYImO3RoDsGOHYNOYXsixbZb5zHFB1Z64k4/s640/blogger-image--142501515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>All three did so well</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuePfQnL_hKEHbaKvOLYNz5zlpX00Wg_o6R10r6GxV7k5TCFlw3Iqx25WftdRZKvsVQCnmuyIS3sEidSPTxm5HeZC4Wm621bBXxFotq_41wHQfe5Y93bjKG59cnAHwgG5XPcCs_TcTAr8/s640/blogger-image--738044467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuePfQnL_hKEHbaKvOLYNz5zlpX00Wg_o6R10r6GxV7k5TCFlw3Iqx25WftdRZKvsVQCnmuyIS3sEidSPTxm5HeZC4Wm621bBXxFotq_41wHQfe5Y93bjKG59cnAHwgG5XPcCs_TcTAr8/s640/blogger-image--738044467.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And even since school, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A good bye...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJ_5yQC9KnfrxrgnGisjMMXtVmiJMe7LBOqPuTKBxZTpcBU71KPGvzXqXAZoq-LuVJ6l8JKqwpS_js8SC-dvpiPL00qgsu7E6Dkp8kpEQz6we1uTFhLb6qDuQFV6MdZJkJVhvI7t8M8/s640/blogger-image-2055303361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LJ_5yQC9KnfrxrgnGisjMMXtVmiJMe7LBOqPuTKBxZTpcBU71KPGvzXqXAZoq-LuVJ6l8JKqwpS_js8SC-dvpiPL00qgsu7E6Dkp8kpEQz6we1uTFhLb6qDuQFV6MdZJkJVhvI7t8M8/s640/blogger-image-2055303361.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div>But a new beginning...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA4kqE2Gy6ss3h6YAiHMtBY9shdH9eUoYvOxcwcJeQEZoat8mL1CRNRSAWlK7wH3FLe9t5whArdkwM3UeIi8RS8aPMfoLIbS35CqNLTUTtx8qe65SX_weFo7IMorm2PhrIroo6s60s4w/s640/blogger-image--1545884786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA4kqE2Gy6ss3h6YAiHMtBY9shdH9eUoYvOxcwcJeQEZoat8mL1CRNRSAWlK7wH3FLe9t5whArdkwM3UeIi8RS8aPMfoLIbS35CqNLTUTtx8qe65SX_weFo7IMorm2PhrIroo6s60s4w/s640/blogger-image--1545884786.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Time with family, running races, being together...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiAajnRldR8dDFewRvRx0uLU3XyHi3QWr0vgIyixyiDKTu3P_ldhIY7H6bcj9CYiO48MocgGGZXUtshdU3EQK0P7lvu-HIvkFqwu4Am1jAawXbJGd5JMt2RLaJQlpgXcZ7lIfWQ0Hw8M/s640/blogger-image--94900672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiAajnRldR8dDFewRvRx0uLU3XyHi3QWr0vgIyixyiDKTu3P_ldhIY7H6bcj9CYiO48MocgGGZXUtshdU3EQK0P7lvu-HIvkFqwu4Am1jAawXbJGd5JMt2RLaJQlpgXcZ7lIfWQ0Hw8M/s640/blogger-image--94900672.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivIBujufcz_81eNdVRrXcMLXkUDUUaDbn8SV0KgCL-u8Sb8-SrM3Ek0bMB7JpKgAiHFnXrQWkSmy-M5BoxmBq2KjMr6qbIZDOqqETSRiaDbwDKL0DA77GGU_2_M8rUbSS1A550knhY6A/s640/blogger-image-1742848666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivIBujufcz_81eNdVRrXcMLXkUDUUaDbn8SV0KgCL-u8Sb8-SrM3Ek0bMB7JpKgAiHFnXrQWkSmy-M5BoxmBq2KjMr6qbIZDOqqETSRiaDbwDKL0DA77GGU_2_M8rUbSS1A550knhY6A/s640/blogger-image-1742848666.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2NaQerOeF8Gfsz9d5ebhZUpTrtxLxL4ailakmwMcB6OB6hf94UBsOgqqYwXeaDe12nrbiVGaXEwg8wIASWLFoDr1h8aryM_k8reSCNUd1FPdDGs_DR269LqGyVkCiCp8RfVLhM9ODxs/s640/blogger-image--1241614419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2NaQerOeF8Gfsz9d5ebhZUpTrtxLxL4ailakmwMcB6OB6hf94UBsOgqqYwXeaDe12nrbiVGaXEwg8wIASWLFoDr1h8aryM_k8reSCNUd1FPdDGs_DR269LqGyVkCiCp8RfVLhM9ODxs/s640/blogger-image--1241614419.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVaC0dvp4eWazS54Gq_4o4XQN89-nC75s1A0gRC4eLswvEsjwULSt-ef2GNoz8zX5WtugDabIQ5QmCeGuSNCblBd8mVZLyVBhkSnYeqzznEEUWfWaJE1Ciwutjv4Ed0U0PFG59ROwuWA/s640/blogger-image-389734498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVaC0dvp4eWazS54Gq_4o4XQN89-nC75s1A0gRC4eLswvEsjwULSt-ef2GNoz8zX5WtugDabIQ5QmCeGuSNCblBd8mVZLyVBhkSnYeqzznEEUWfWaJE1Ciwutjv4Ed0U0PFG59ROwuWA/s640/blogger-image-389734498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am learning a new job, and the boys are prepping for the Junior Olympics. Steve is running a Spartan Super next week, and I have a half marathon in October I need to be ready for. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also a new nephew to photograph</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMdvEsHNUhCE1KTatz0C9xwOM3hS_eDCDcDvjuDYw1qr8qnE_dvQ0YFJOvhR7dgAH9dBln1ITRXjzV4zVdWDsPe680xHzKXy-Cvri-oC1hdQdrQTb-cNbHkcTcKevOxL2OtrphZYxGCw/s640/blogger-image-496321965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMdvEsHNUhCE1KTatz0C9xwOM3hS_eDCDcDvjuDYw1qr8qnE_dvQ0YFJOvhR7dgAH9dBln1ITRXjzV4zVdWDsPe680xHzKXy-Cvri-oC1hdQdrQTb-cNbHkcTcKevOxL2OtrphZYxGCw/s640/blogger-image-496321965.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even in the end, there are new beginnings and I am so grateful for the time to appreciate them! </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-70598981821094578172015-04-24T08:02:00.001-04:002015-04-24T08:06:39.708-04:00My hair...Week 16 A4A52weekSo this week I am writing about my favorite physical feature. This took a while. I like my eyes, they change color and I have always had lashes, but it isn't them. I like my feet. They are ugly with years of dance and now running, but they can do so much. There was even talk of my breasts, as they have nourished three children and I am always complimented on them, but let's be honest, I can't blog about that! <div><br></div><div>So my hair. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wru_sY40D-HbLIOpZe4C5VDhpSx51j43hH2QKm_3BByw-b9Sfwfx0BerTzdkNKDtCO_fEJcYcgaj72YoFMlrZbtralAnrJF9aq27xA5XaDSwBLjb7bsZPGgPbb59ykebe-DcUjRAAZo/s640/blogger-image--105824267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wru_sY40D-HbLIOpZe4C5VDhpSx51j43hH2QKm_3BByw-b9Sfwfx0BerTzdkNKDtCO_fEJcYcgaj72YoFMlrZbtralAnrJF9aq27xA5XaDSwBLjb7bsZPGgPbb59ykebe-DcUjRAAZo/s640/blogger-image--105824267.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love that I can go to my friend Heather, once a year, spend a little bit of money, and transform my self esteem. It sounds silly, but your hair can define who you are. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have had many hair styles, but I love my current one best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5BbtnK5GcczmXGIFlF6UQZzPYUMBVovBhufjE_TeMp1MAB0Bg01Q7-WE8bmcq59zK7sU2U8eLWodtrXBdmaWjLbYOuNYJqmIg8d3EhWMl68lVXBAHRWyMIKIa6e1syb7oW5I2rPWBj8/s640/blogger-image-428635946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5BbtnK5GcczmXGIFlF6UQZzPYUMBVovBhufjE_TeMp1MAB0Bg01Q7-WE8bmcq59zK7sU2U8eLWodtrXBdmaWjLbYOuNYJqmIg8d3EhWMl68lVXBAHRWyMIKIa6e1syb7oW5I2rPWBj8/s640/blogger-image-428635946.jpg"></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A walk down hair lane: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif34b7P3OGAq59msMvcu6vXIxJ9mcOr10skf41Mh-JMA5HGWjbVzJ21Jxnl4cKs93K4VIA54xxidquehziecp_kWN2kfbnVlWYcQAN3bNe2WlATmkkSho52W5EOi6kf4DNhKxAnTp_inM/s640/blogger-image--1009738092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif34b7P3OGAq59msMvcu6vXIxJ9mcOr10skf41Mh-JMA5HGWjbVzJ21Jxnl4cKs93K4VIA54xxidquehziecp_kWN2kfbnVlWYcQAN3bNe2WlATmkkSho52W5EOi6kf4DNhKxAnTp_inM/s640/blogger-image--1009738092.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long a braided for our Thanksgiving Feast at school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o79khMmyTLXvWL76Uc8AFOQJZl1fFJrH5NWWy1enOHSmozrrDgy4RGpDCH8I13tv5F43fAhD22KVqZ3zhBBToSIAS13R2QUQ7j10XdTm-Et74dRShZZflVqzpRxjeCg08qi1zgyCm4A/s640/blogger-image--1731874910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o79khMmyTLXvWL76Uc8AFOQJZl1fFJrH5NWWy1enOHSmozrrDgy4RGpDCH8I13tv5F43fAhD22KVqZ3zhBBToSIAS13R2QUQ7j10XdTm-Et74dRShZZflVqzpRxjeCg08qi1zgyCm4A/s640/blogger-image--1731874910.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long a wavy out of the shower...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbp0YHwExgxHIZIGOYS9k4end2nHVX0mznQNBLmNRDubNQ9FvvUkLOwL-beDFLRsUZh4uOUjPvXUNwZngZIxcUDp8c0QxcxRHklnrpATZo1u410RQMragoNz1rZj7ykYTGGZlzQsaHT4/s640/blogger-image-1162490769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbp0YHwExgxHIZIGOYS9k4end2nHVX0mznQNBLmNRDubNQ9FvvUkLOwL-beDFLRsUZh4uOUjPvXUNwZngZIxcUDp8c0QxcxRHklnrpATZo1u410RQMragoNz1rZj7ykYTGGZlzQsaHT4/s640/blogger-image-1162490769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Short and curled for this special day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmnMLHivjI-jhw3S0bIQXF8w2UdXCG95sYv-YjgjmWibvBoH8ubdO3uvZS_HDx23ZQ1-Jc_bgJ7v3JSQzOjBfx8uIFRASk3jZBiDxQefMJHtyvJzgiGIoVO9snL_ljJz7uOm7f6EBVV4/s640/blogger-image-247952272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmnMLHivjI-jhw3S0bIQXF8w2UdXCG95sYv-YjgjmWibvBoH8ubdO3uvZS_HDx23ZQ1-Jc_bgJ7v3JSQzOjBfx8uIFRASk3jZBiDxQefMJHtyvJzgiGIoVO9snL_ljJz7uOm7f6EBVV4/s640/blogger-image-247952272.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this day too! (I am in the left)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9NZyk00mEPCnYPv5mh7qB-zCDlgJmhYRAP1a5gmWC4F4XHHmFPTiziRBdccTEM_dh1T8AKd_DlRbxBN4aM2xJKggCUcOTA_6LO5SbKwx8orENMP5Ea7oX3IRScxjeq2Ldeid8ima6tA/s640/blogger-image-1612168496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9NZyk00mEPCnYPv5mh7qB-zCDlgJmhYRAP1a5gmWC4F4XHHmFPTiziRBdccTEM_dh1T8AKd_DlRbxBN4aM2xJKggCUcOTA_6LO5SbKwx8orENMP5Ea7oX3IRScxjeq2Ldeid8ima6tA/s640/blogger-image-1612168496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And at one point a "boxed" red head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But in reality, I was and am always me. Just with different hair. The nice thing is that no matter what my hair looks like, if I don't like it, I can change it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What is your favorite physics feature? And why!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Join the challenge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And check out what Chelley is writing about </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">http://aisforadelaide.com/2015/04/24/my-eyes-52weeksa4a-week-16/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtF0spB_8stLzs68m0jsV8fVsG7zkU827OK0YOZJ7OLjXFHlITyIO9_TABww6HwyUAGBXTxw6MovBbkMZ-wCuj-a5VwXn97-1-pB5hleY9coFvgAgYMVZ7WXnzzP7ODXzOLgz4Aften8/s640/blogger-image-7761556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtF0spB_8stLzs68m0jsV8fVsG7zkU827OK0YOZJ7OLjXFHlITyIO9_TABww6HwyUAGBXTxw6MovBbkMZ-wCuj-a5VwXn97-1-pB5hleY9coFvgAgYMVZ7WXnzzP7ODXzOLgz4Aften8/s640/blogger-image-7761556.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-69137333533784423872015-04-24T07:38:00.001-04:002015-04-24T07:38:58.003-04:00A week late, but my career, week 15 A4A52weekchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UM5803O9CubxTxRlY2DPLN9xUQCh-X84wwtkztkS6Zm-4XuqF8AZDoycCbqU5r6O1I-cL-wkG2DqqkbB92SYolSnOMjYy_oXocO90Qa0vBc1lAFMxS1x8yhyr_2Sn3ULBIF6gkMvpCk/s640/blogger-image--1291803822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UM5803O9CubxTxRlY2DPLN9xUQCh-X84wwtkztkS6Zm-4XuqF8AZDoycCbqU5r6O1I-cL-wkG2DqqkbB92SYolSnOMjYy_oXocO90Qa0vBc1lAFMxS1x8yhyr_2Sn3ULBIF6gkMvpCk/s640/blogger-image--1291803822.jpg"></a></div>So, I am a week late writing this, but the kids were sick and I honestly forgot! <div><br></div><div>My career is hard to write about because I don't have one. </div><div>I am a mom</div><div>A wife</div><div>A teacher</div><div>But I do not have a career.</div><div>These things are my life. </div><div>They make me who I am, and teach me day to day.</div><div>I do not have a corporation to answer to, a timeline (well teaching does have a timeline), I don't get emails from China at 2 in the morning like my husband does. I don't stress about losing my job because if I lose my job it isn't devastating to the family. </div><div><br></div><div>I think the word career has a connotation that is negative, at least to me. As someone who isn't on a plan, I don't like when I am asked what my career or occupation is. </div><div>I am a mom</div><div>I am a wife</div><div>I am a teacher</div><div>But none of those things change if they are my career, because they are my life.</div><div>~~~~~~~~~</div><div>Join the fun!</div><div>And check in on Chelley at www.aisforadelaide.com</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHAGmiewawaHY7l_hH7TU5MDmhTN2rNh56l4RI7Ej7HYc641LQ3CA_eOmEoWseBSc1Na5L5aKBvmGjU6CbsIqqDx3ixRIRuIXl_VTtRKNCzkWEuEVF12uZIiFFBLHiFXyrG-qzyn1MZY/s640/blogger-image--1703748633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHAGmiewawaHY7l_hH7TU5MDmhTN2rNh56l4RI7Ej7HYc641LQ3CA_eOmEoWseBSc1Na5L5aKBvmGjU6CbsIqqDx3ixRIRuIXl_VTtRKNCzkWEuEVF12uZIiFFBLHiFXyrG-qzyn1MZY/s640/blogger-image--1703748633.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-90623539344728102272015-04-12T14:30:00.001-04:002015-04-12T14:32:34.072-04:00The weather week#14 A4A52weekchallenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Ok, I think we all know that this winter was ridiculous! We had more snow than we have had in a while, temperatures that were way too cold, and honestly it was just a stay inside winter. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jLQi1KouhzQ4G77tlp2tpSXQGDX6QrlfqDVqG3thFBe7yXxa-bq0oRaoFnZWiZPRnH9yhV008nUs4SdpY8hVIv9Ghg9ZIwmK6TkbRS8pX_s478egGP3FkEiG64-M5rVONcX8ae2VI28/s640/blogger-image-20586335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jLQi1KouhzQ4G77tlp2tpSXQGDX6QrlfqDVqG3thFBe7yXxa-bq0oRaoFnZWiZPRnH9yhV008nUs4SdpY8hVIv9Ghg9ZIwmK6TkbRS8pX_s478egGP3FkEiG64-M5rVONcX8ae2VI28/s640/blogger-image-20586335.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I got out on the road some, but not as much as I would like to. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnExJv1t3L9PXWQjR8KdCsOBG5dHZ6NOCb9AbaCz6PA3eTVfdbaBA8BgmubbA0ixchCO0Z1MnOPat3qIAx2NIWQF4U_IrOVm6HHafuCVPGBKgrFDu9oMStzSdskQRbHIC05w9MUOCLa4/s640/blogger-image--2075323389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnExJv1t3L9PXWQjR8KdCsOBG5dHZ6NOCb9AbaCz6PA3eTVfdbaBA8BgmubbA0ixchCO0Z1MnOPat3qIAx2NIWQF4U_IrOVm6HHafuCVPGBKgrFDu9oMStzSdskQRbHIC05w9MUOCLa4/s640/blogger-image--2075323389.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Even our Florida vacation was plagued with almost freezing temperatures and never Florida "hot". </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsnNipSGrBYuEH7shdKkrHEuLY5AOnE_xXJ69fLjgaNU6jjehcRgd8frb5cNyVl76dKllGBdRyA0SdAVu0kDMb16pC2Vht1yMfpmkXf7o0QxNZiOh6BQxdhZD7jG-uesORavplkjC0LE/s640/blogger-image-2107564776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsnNipSGrBYuEH7shdKkrHEuLY5AOnE_xXJ69fLjgaNU6jjehcRgd8frb5cNyVl76dKllGBdRyA0SdAVu0kDMb16pC2Vht1yMfpmkXf7o0QxNZiOh6BQxdhZD7jG-uesORavplkjC0LE/s640/blogger-image-2107564776.jpg"></font></a></div><div>But now, now the sun is shining, and even when it isn't you still know it is there. I have finally had an opportunity to enjoy a run on the track without having problems breathing, and the boys track season has begun. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6XlpcTKdQrPjaOC2fqsh_DsUBxQOJCGytUE3ISSt48SBiD0DQSNXPgUcn9nGttULl7lgayT8HiYdcUtzSOp9kq4yIBzyx3Ka0neplhIPoZJbosyiv7ufHbjPpGAuCvJtFKKPHyp6p2g/s640/blogger-image-706728384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6XlpcTKdQrPjaOC2fqsh_DsUBxQOJCGytUE3ISSt48SBiD0DQSNXPgUcn9nGttULl7lgayT8HiYdcUtzSOp9kq4yIBzyx3Ka0neplhIPoZJbosyiv7ufHbjPpGAuCvJtFKKPHyp6p2g/s640/blogger-image-706728384.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The bad part about this weather is sickness. We are currently experiencing our second visit from a stomach bug this spring, and I hate that the constant change in weather has such an impact on health, but it does. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYa1JLfUgpQx5g0kaKyX-aEj5E3eDgMeaQ2O_rSJnQIMXUNILEMVkEuswBZsSmphYQ31lufqLN0MhJke9nafOpJ80hKikCfDD9FDG7UaLbGcxhrcCisDMouYCbR8XnYsN-V_D8fY3pyU/s640/blogger-image-814989623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYa1JLfUgpQx5g0kaKyX-aEj5E3eDgMeaQ2O_rSJnQIMXUNILEMVkEuswBZsSmphYQ31lufqLN0MhJke9nafOpJ80hKikCfDD9FDG7UaLbGcxhrcCisDMouYCbR8XnYsN-V_D8fY3pyU/s640/blogger-image-814989623.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>So I am glad for the change of season, however, I would like a change in germs. Windows are open, surfaces are clean, and my hands feel chapped from all the hand washing. My running can wait, my boys cannot, and I am doing the best I can to get them healthy so that they can enjoy the weather! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauC1tecSqfmYFX89nxN2I91KJLr7jHN3OxeZ4vqMT99aBhklGYVwJZCrR58Y7SuOQK0oy9VHEHWGrMG5QK0Nmi7dQvmKQUF54dOMgUYYDWSZtdfbTtHNBywecRy_GWT1hdZQrOqRSxsU/s640/blogger-image--1663193130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauC1tecSqfmYFX89nxN2I91KJLr7jHN3OxeZ4vqMT99aBhklGYVwJZCrR58Y7SuOQK0oy9VHEHWGrMG5QK0Nmi7dQvmKQUF54dOMgUYYDWSZtdfbTtHNBywecRy_GWT1hdZQrOqRSxsU/s640/blogger-image--1663193130.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And today we are outside, because well we can, and they are feeling better! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbxi_0TVeXRioauGPgQtiEqHRGRrIGjP5YsMmViCZUdZFyaEdH1BpdSVPhcdC22hEka7_c-FpyF3XjrS7G3vbDpn6XaKN9g3uV-Af822nnzC_TAQlfg5IOtWsq87KoM4KMZrKVh80H0k/s640/blogger-image--696606787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbxi_0TVeXRioauGPgQtiEqHRGRrIGjP5YsMmViCZUdZFyaEdH1BpdSVPhcdC22hEka7_c-FpyF3XjrS7G3vbDpn6XaKN9g3uV-Af822nnzC_TAQlfg5IOtWsq87KoM4KMZrKVh80H0k/s640/blogger-image--696606787.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Join the fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMeZoPN8CpbkEpUUnqQaPZr26TD6X8RoIfJwVpC1AsjX0UA1B0xtzg6f3gKqAn0Wy-ZkGF0AWN6yEjUehuk0ATRTRalzX4EZEtFY5CZ7BPc6HbDJK_X7Uga-aTSlRMzhde91qwjLTryw/s640/blogger-image-1217974751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMeZoPN8CpbkEpUUnqQaPZr26TD6X8RoIfJwVpC1AsjX0UA1B0xtzg6f3gKqAn0Wy-ZkGF0AWN6yEjUehuk0ATRTRalzX4EZEtFY5CZ7BPc6HbDJK_X7Uga-aTSlRMzhde91qwjLTryw/s640/blogger-image-1217974751.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-90760686284790987122015-04-03T07:15:00.001-04:002015-04-03T08:12:28.461-04:00100 dreams...week13 a4a52weekchallengeSo this week is interesting as writing down my dreams is like opening a part of me...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSnSlmVeJqYLeThfLrQnXGEIADzfMyGqgVQ0FdAbrAKSybUPKYOha_zOMjiU8VaLk1fTC65elhfe7ifunmpfIA7eP9NK9y4hgLzyObWrZZqiTS1zNslnRWQKq9QWax0AgcyEIU-HJMkM/s640/blogger-image-515635687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSnSlmVeJqYLeThfLrQnXGEIADzfMyGqgVQ0FdAbrAKSybUPKYOha_zOMjiU8VaLk1fTC65elhfe7ifunmpfIA7eP9NK9y4hgLzyObWrZZqiTS1zNslnRWQKq9QWax0AgcyEIU-HJMkM/s640/blogger-image-515635687.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>1. To be a better mom</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2. To be a better wife</span></div><div>3. For my sons to be Godly men</div><div>4. For my sons to find women who make them happy </div><div>5. To see my husband more</div><div>6. To sing, professionally, </div><div>7. To dance ballet again</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">8. To run a half marathon</span></div><div>9. To run a Disney marathon</div><div>10. To travel alone somewhere wonderful</div><div>11. To visit Ireland </div><div>12. To visit most of Europe</div><div>13. To visit Hawaii</div><div>14. To live in the country</div><div>15. To live on a farm </div><div>16. To not have a black thumb!</div><div>17. To have a home with more than one bathroom</div><div>18. To teach my children to be grateful for the home we do have</div><div>19. To learn to be grateful for the home we do have </div><div>20. To have no debt</div><div>21. To have my photography purchased, even for a few dollars </div><div>22. To use my camera more</div><div>23. To scrapbook all of our family adventures</div><div>24. To de-clutter our home</div><div>25. Travel cross country</div><div>26. Play piano again</div><div>27. Finish some of the crafts I started</div><div>28. Be better about following lists I start</div><div>29. Bike ride with the family more</div><div>30. Stop being sorry</div><div>31. To see my parents be healthy</div><div>32. To be available to help my family</div><div>33. To learn to say no</div><div>34. Get a passport</div><div>35. To receive my birthday present from January that still hasn't shipped from the manufacturer yet (no blame on my family) </div><div>36. To have more money</div><div>37. To use it properly</div><div>38. To have a savings account for each of the boys</div><div>39. Adopt a child</div><div>40. Adopt another because well, I really do love kids</div><div>41. Become fluent in American Sign Language</div><div>42. Start an ASL worship experience</div><div>43. Find a way to help our church be inviting to all</div><div>44. Use my PureBarre gift card and not be addicted (because it is expensive!)</div><div>45. Get a gym membership</div><div>46. Actually Use it</div><div>47. Read all of the books I have</div><div>48. Finish reading the books I have started</div><div>49. Try to write more</div><div>50. Draw more </div><div>51. Earn more money</div><div>52. Defeat Super Mario Brothers again (and not have someone delete it)</div><div>53. Play with the boys more</div><div>54. Not yell</div><div>55. Run in the rain</div><div>56. Go camping with my family and not be stressed all week</div><div>57. Take a cruise (Disney of course)</div><div>58. Sing in Disney World</div><div>59. Be fit</div><div>60. Not have asthma</div><div>61. Not have constant joint pain</div><div>62. Sit on my new porch and enjoy it</div><div>63. Not have so many shoes</div><div>64. Be able to let go of things and realize I am not letting go of people</div><div>65. Be able to have another child myself</div><div>66. Teach my children to appreciate the arts</div><div>67. Touch a big animal</div><div>68. Help families of children with special needs to see that it is ok to be you</div><div>69. Realize that it is ok to be us</div><div>70. Help mothers breastfeed, and help those that struggle to be ok with it.</div><div>71. Learn to knit </div><div>72. Learn to sew with a needle</div><div>73. Fix our chimney</div><div>74. Finish our basement</div><div>75. Not be cluttered</div><div>76. Continue to host holidays in a positive welcoming way</div><div>77. To win a large sum of money</div><div>78. Use that to help our family</div><div>79. Then use it to start a soup kitchen </div><div>80. Hire homeless to staff it</div><div>81. Teach them job skills</div><div>82. Provide sleep, shelter, and references</div><div>83. Be a blessing</div><div>84. Let go of control</div><div>85. Be at peace</div><div>86. Forgive my past</div><div>87. Embrace my future</div><div>88. See my friends more</div><div>89. Not have clothes in baskets in my bedroom!</div><div>90. Actually clean up my friend list on Facebook</div><div>91. Make technology a tool and not an addiction for my boys</div><div>92. Change the way we treat education </div><div>93. To help children who can't read see the word can't as a stumbling block</div><div>94. To help my mom grow her school</div><div>95. To watch my brother become an awesome father</div><div>96. To see my sister succeed at making and selling quilts. Because she could</div><div>97. To publish one of my moms children's books she has written and illustrated herself</div><div>98. To record my dad reading the Bible</div><div>99. To write a book about my Auntie Martha and all of the amazing things she has done musically and in life</div><div>100. To be the family others see us as(as long as it is good!)</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wow! Well, if I can do it, so can you!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Join the Challenge! And check out what Chelley is writing over at </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Http://www.aisforadelaide.com</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt7qnq_U_jn-HR6I6GlY7SMPoMjU5ZPV5PpRqyTdDo0x9HIY7QfApJhaO0lMfCfQ94kUOnqxXaTi9O9NHvijZarUrfD0xqIr9M8vgpkfcwUbee-5kurKUiZV7R8gUwRLpHbSqdPuyzjo/s640/blogger-image--1145516635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt7qnq_U_jn-HR6I6GlY7SMPoMjU5ZPV5PpRqyTdDo0x9HIY7QfApJhaO0lMfCfQ94kUOnqxXaTi9O9NHvijZarUrfD0xqIr9M8vgpkfcwUbee-5kurKUiZV7R8gUwRLpHbSqdPuyzjo/s640/blogger-image--1145516635.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-31084701925334282332015-03-29T18:33:00.004-04:002015-03-29T18:52:06.625-04:00Home...Week 12 a4a 52 week challengeI have lived in many places, and all of them would be considered home.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HDFYu0TgE4gPrG_mU98c387whRw_-JL6smj4E5yMsvpn06QhhyrVb06YeuXNaMDAYZaRDwvYkvNnvdpCTSXBpiU7e0W3etVOMCVRmttpvTkOKVQ_ebm5olsRKH6jHOmFiQoG7SeDzJ4/s640/blogger-image-1579914193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HDFYu0TgE4gPrG_mU98c387whRw_-JL6smj4E5yMsvpn06QhhyrVb06YeuXNaMDAYZaRDwvYkvNnvdpCTSXBpiU7e0W3etVOMCVRmttpvTkOKVQ_ebm5olsRKH6jHOmFiQoG7SeDzJ4/s640/blogger-image-1579914193.jpg"></a></div><br>
I also have many places in my life that feel like home.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBBdk686wNymi-xp5dx9zN8NOg9YZsS3h4HmkBKkIJS6UMAtjGySy2oG2hCt84leh8GAKvilALQ9IeA0RPaYT8mzRFRD3Q-enwf5hxewxwcKkvO0L4RWiLayNeAksErBa_EtjXYGablI/s640/blogger-image-1890004307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBBdk686wNymi-xp5dx9zN8NOg9YZsS3h4HmkBKkIJS6UMAtjGySy2oG2hCt84leh8GAKvilALQ9IeA0RPaYT8mzRFRD3Q-enwf5hxewxwcKkvO0L4RWiLayNeAksErBa_EtjXYGablI/s640/blogger-image-1890004307.jpg"></a></div><br>
Our physical home is a quaint one.<div><br></div><div> We have three bedrooms, one bathroom,a fireplace, a dining room, a yard, a porch, and a garage. It is large enough to host holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter, but small enough that I don't go crazy when we need to clean up. It is feeling awfully cramped lately as our children are growing, and we have been so beyond busy that my clothes sit in baskets next to my bed instead of being properly put away. However, it is home.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fq5rtX_DXPYointQMATJmchop1sCnCt9FO8yatCA_rw7Y7z2INernXtLhEvsZiZ9ghlR-jkYrzohqzVRQzQmkExcHbfwBrqSiO3mR0A7BhD3OA6HvnWsl9T9jrBAWu44tc1jpCkhXOY/s640/blogger-image--791129293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fq5rtX_DXPYointQMATJmchop1sCnCt9FO8yatCA_rw7Y7z2INernXtLhEvsZiZ9ghlR-jkYrzohqzVRQzQmkExcHbfwBrqSiO3mR0A7BhD3OA6HvnWsl9T9jrBAWu44tc1jpCkhXOY/s640/blogger-image--791129293.jpg"></a></div><br>
I have learned how to cook here, watched two children take their first steps here, and become a teacher through a lot of hard work here.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Amb0XVWILRe842vGrE6JQ8M23ZVi7judOcJxU2R0e4SDnty_mgJVA_j6oDhfZUiK8ryAfw0pxY5Un2GTWg5agKO4Ew84OtwrPxR9b1sgiso0OTZsdJ_Og-kWbFD0waQTLcUP9Z4kXSI/s640/blogger-image-869384271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Amb0XVWILRe842vGrE6JQ8M23ZVi7judOcJxU2R0e4SDnty_mgJVA_j6oDhfZUiK8ryAfw0pxY5Un2GTWg5agKO4Ew84OtwrPxR9b1sgiso0OTZsdJ_Og-kWbFD0waQTLcUP9Z4kXSI/s640/blogger-image-869384271.jpg"></a></div><br>
there is one thing though. It is always changing. I am constantly rearranging our furniture, our rooms, even whose room is whose. We cannot change our address, but we can change our space. I am feeling like a change is needed again, so we will be doing a deep de-clutter of our spaces. The boys clothes are becoming outgrown, the school work is piling up, and the de-clutter is necessary.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOU7rTYQhnRJQkCqh6RGPuBH2EBSa9bEj1sLxPRJuDMsVzIEeaB_oVqGJL9aXjiJP2F4ZMazJVx-zoXAuK-YnEzQeKa64aVRlvWQMKBtsAWt-CRJsQFYzxEjv_JzUmVw9umA_OqTPtbQ/s640/blogger-image-1786004019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOU7rTYQhnRJQkCqh6RGPuBH2EBSa9bEj1sLxPRJuDMsVzIEeaB_oVqGJL9aXjiJP2F4ZMazJVx-zoXAuK-YnEzQeKa64aVRlvWQMKBtsAWt-CRJsQFYzxEjv_JzUmVw9umA_OqTPtbQ/s640/blogger-image-1786004019.jpg"></a></div><br>
But the best thing happened this year. I was able to clean off my front porch, and make a space that I have always wanted. A place to rest, and read, or type, or draw. A place to relax at the end of a long day or to be alone in my thoughts. I think it needs a few more touches to be complete, however, I am really happy with how it looks, and how I feel when I come home. To open up the door and see my refuge right there is the best feeling ever.<br>
In doing this, I discovered, that even though our house isn't perfect, nor is it perfectly clean, it is our home. It is where we come together.<br>
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home</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKfMchjsrm6ajByzOOjIOm0G-kjzxlGCwcjbXhXSg0MR4ZgkQF29qyCeEQTv8znUZp_qiJgkHxPrUeOjCRoh_pE_TAoEyLFnuZ_bb2rOuE09eanvxacJzrw6rgFQ7xFFCI8gzC6f5EZ4/s640/blogger-image-2145239457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKfMchjsrm6ajByzOOjIOm0G-kjzxlGCwcjbXhXSg0MR4ZgkQF29qyCeEQTv8znUZp_qiJgkHxPrUeOjCRoh_pE_TAoEyLFnuZ_bb2rOuE09eanvxacJzrw6rgFQ7xFFCI8gzC6f5EZ4/s640/blogger-image-2145239457.jpg"></a></div><br>
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heart</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l69scR3gAgc0icSXahD7VAYT2s73oCjHCf-q6GSCgkblTt5wgIhXFVzIRfPsywlsikaHymbzyPQ1_E46_mhvMvxyzLfz6ixav64asgsoR8i_ooQxrv171H5Xgofu2xx0pfitUDdxw7Y/s640/blogger-image-520919465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l69scR3gAgc0icSXahD7VAYT2s73oCjHCf-q6GSCgkblTt5wgIhXFVzIRfPsywlsikaHymbzyPQ1_E46_mhvMvxyzLfz6ixav64asgsoR8i_ooQxrv171H5Xgofu2xx0pfitUDdxw7Y/s640/blogger-image-520919465.jpg"></a></div><br>
<br>
life<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-bVoStkONtzadb4yW73P5KAFmdSD9GtE2oIS7eFHYtJiH-dJM9ueOgVnfLdaIF78vXGHoV0dqDjHh5X759IKGYoNp1y_6UXxt-wMRyDXdd0__vBqWlNIRUI8ye_IKFBWmPGjKXVGu8/s640/blogger-image-1476694790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-bVoStkONtzadb4yW73P5KAFmdSD9GtE2oIS7eFHYtJiH-dJM9ueOgVnfLdaIF78vXGHoV0dqDjHh5X759IKGYoNp1y_6UXxt-wMRyDXdd0__vBqWlNIRUI8ye_IKFBWmPGjKXVGu8/s640/blogger-image-1476694790.jpg"></a></div><br>
all happen wherever you are!</div><div><br></div><div>~~~~~~~~<br>
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Join the challenge, and write away!<br>
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also check out what Chelley has at http://www.aisforadelaide.com<br>
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<br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-65861361488153685572015-03-22T14:03:00.001-04:002015-03-22T21:50:28.023-04:00My greatest accomplishment...week 11... A4A 52 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKjOAQSv4y37kNXLKApdVbaxa9bmXheXv0_nv1gF2h5sxEsqn1knvqDDjej7rRVyg3CIofcRsC8zWu5gejNO3BQ6mKuqeTVVGjGuTBVqrE96T0t5Ef1KIQSdMN_uwJhBxS9oWthMieu0/s640/blogger-image-659835236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKjOAQSv4y37kNXLKApdVbaxa9bmXheXv0_nv1gF2h5sxEsqn1knvqDDjej7rRVyg3CIofcRsC8zWu5gejNO3BQ6mKuqeTVVGjGuTBVqrE96T0t5Ef1KIQSdMN_uwJhBxS9oWthMieu0/s640/blogger-image-659835236.jpg"></a></div>Some would say their children were their greatest accomplishment, some would say their career... I am choosing to talk about things that are tough. <div><br></div><div>My marriage...</div><div><br></div><div>We live in a society where throwing things away is easy. Everything is disposable. Plates, cups, food, packaging, clothing, dishes... It is all disposable. Not many people fix things. Look at watches, when the battery dies, we often throw it in the drawer and either get a new watch or complain that we need to get a new battery (and don't know how to replace it). </div><div><br></div><div>Things get hard, and we give up.</div><div><br></div><div>Well a few years ago, Steve and I were ready to throw our marriage away. I will not disclose the details, as that is between he and I, however the lesson from it is universal. </div><div><br></div><div>It got hard...</div><div>We gave up...</div><div>We walked away...</div><div>But the problem is, we weren't ready to throw it away.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve and I are fixers. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3nafSWjEa1FnqC9_q6D_Gw-I-9knBbNuCcGrkSHgg_vHdRy-KhFFTp-CxUAH2u6nyP-aQGNcKGgSU30IpcB_uW7mAK8TLLGhS3BGZyIuMrpiPSzgZ10QsAFKrL89lvDHfJ6kn3gsPEM/s640/blogger-image-1826264912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3nafSWjEa1FnqC9_q6D_Gw-I-9knBbNuCcGrkSHgg_vHdRy-KhFFTp-CxUAH2u6nyP-aQGNcKGgSU30IpcB_uW7mAK8TLLGhS3BGZyIuMrpiPSzgZ10QsAFKrL89lvDHfJ6kn3gsPEM/s640/blogger-image-1826264912.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We didn't feel great being all in, but we also didn't feel great about being all out. </div><div><br></div><div>So we stopped, and we fixed it.</div><div> We communicated, we yelled, and screamed, and cried, and in the end said "what are we doing?" And we started again. </div><div><br></div><div>It would have been very easy to throw in the towel and walk away. Set up visitation and payments and start our separate lives. But, that isn't really what we wanted. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OqbyxUc-a1L7xk4Sd-10uMRtn6Xg24c0-VVFFPNStK2zjT0cpR0bw5Q4cEPwUxbc8jizzmpMazPmI-6siK9R89QbUmwLnqUhgr-edxlutEN6jiMggn3ANY1vdZJvrNqJeyigle_TLnI/s640/blogger-image--540881674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OqbyxUc-a1L7xk4Sd-10uMRtn6Xg24c0-VVFFPNStK2zjT0cpR0bw5Q4cEPwUxbc8jizzmpMazPmI-6siK9R89QbUmwLnqUhgr-edxlutEN6jiMggn3ANY1vdZJvrNqJeyigle_TLnI/s640/blogger-image--540881674.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>When we got to the root of the problem, it was communication. We hd forgotten that a relationship cannot remain static. It needs forward motion, communication, and cooperation. </div><div><br></div><div>We forgot that.</div><div>However as I sit here and look at where we are now, I know it is not because we are perfect or something. We worked, we fought, and we found each other. </div><div><br></div><div>We fell back in love, learned to understand each other, and we don't question each other's anything anymore. If we get mad, we say it. </div><div>If we are hurt, we say it.</div><div>If we are in love, we say it.</div><div><br></div><div>We fixed it. In a disposable world where quiting is easy, we fixed it. </div><div><br></div><div>Is it perfect?</div><div>No.</div><div>Is it easy?</div><div>No.</div><div>But, is it worth it? </div><div>Absolutely! </div><div>I think that the best thing that we have accomplished is our marriage, together, and as a team, we fixed us. Not just for us... But also for them....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lYcu-5P6agToMMssFVzgyJB_B17arXBzzh1j2WL1abvSghPCdBCZ_cB16x3bss_LpDbyg10dH8pYvy3MGEXEEPh7_PgG3YKuHiogogi711X1XiFZmFqoYephkX9ALmFTk5dXSG8xj0k/s640/blogger-image--469477353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lYcu-5P6agToMMssFVzgyJB_B17arXBzzh1j2WL1abvSghPCdBCZ_cB16x3bss_LpDbyg10dH8pYvy3MGEXEEPh7_PgG3YKuHiogogi711X1XiFZmFqoYephkX9ALmFTk5dXSG8xj0k/s640/blogger-image--469477353.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>~~~~~</div><div>Join the weekly writing, and check out what Chelley has going on at www.aisforadelaide.com</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIQDrH6fro-1sEb-tW959d_xkumFYJpMZW7KIqSF7ZNdHOg-gGnAEX1XIcXnvwqzC8Ys8Z6eoJE2sTyyPloi6ayl6NYxZNlqddJm8ZMTROQ2mk7P0e8s0MSQJaMhTeowhf8G-nqFzUsg/s640/blogger-image--824903169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIQDrH6fro-1sEb-tW959d_xkumFYJpMZW7KIqSF7ZNdHOg-gGnAEX1XIcXnvwqzC8Ys8Z6eoJE2sTyyPloi6ayl6NYxZNlqddJm8ZMTROQ2mk7P0e8s0MSQJaMhTeowhf8G-nqFzUsg/s640/blogger-image--824903169.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-42181252907104655442015-03-13T07:12:00.001-04:002015-03-14T11:08:04.688-04:00On a much lighter note... Week 10 - my favorite jewelry...From the time I was born, jewelry was a part of my life. My mother and father both worked at jewelry stores when they met, and well, both made sure that I was aware of the value of a jewel. I have several pieces that I love, and several that mean so much to me. For me each piece of jewelry I own is a connection to the person and moment I received it. As a mom to all boys, I realize that there is no one to pass my jewelry on to that will appreciate that sentiment. So for now I love it, recognizing it is only a thing, and not an actual part of me. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWDFDqZITqBJCYTZcwsBXknqHg2xRzTYg0jpSSnG8uOb_2leVEdQjQ2mECe9d7XnLxdjWaQtjxRwMThMAq25RHxSGQn1bJoiuejQ2M4WJ_eTK-W2K1KYM9V_Il5hxcbWy-vfz15TzqBQ/s640/blogger-image--850558242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWDFDqZITqBJCYTZcwsBXknqHg2xRzTYg0jpSSnG8uOb_2leVEdQjQ2mECe9d7XnLxdjWaQtjxRwMThMAq25RHxSGQn1bJoiuejQ2M4WJ_eTK-W2K1KYM9V_Il5hxcbWy-vfz15TzqBQ/s640/blogger-image--850558242.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>I have a few pieces I will talk about... </div><div>There is a box of jewels my husband gave me. He knows how much I love them, and he picked out this beautiful box for these treasures. It isn't large, but it holds a lot. Probably one of the two things I would grab in a fire! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPP-Ehj6xubArwI6oy03DyoVD0jAfuMwt_nK1LUnH_utQz80gmgDtmu1VnL7tVB8JlwxWCh3m1akKUbfx2fspHk7K5REVFqCkFiXy3G-PCtL0aVCU_jCM4r5j3-uimc9o0iIo1cAHBrA/s640/blogger-image--971550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPP-Ehj6xubArwI6oy03DyoVD0jAfuMwt_nK1LUnH_utQz80gmgDtmu1VnL7tVB8JlwxWCh3m1akKUbfx2fspHk7K5REVFqCkFiXy3G-PCtL0aVCU_jCM4r5j3-uimc9o0iIo1cAHBrA/s640/blogger-image--971550.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The problem is I am so afraid of losing these jewels that I hardly wear them! My wedding bands and my mothers necklace are most often what I wear. I find it hard to wear jewelry when playing with kids and being a mom to three absolutely energetic boys. So I don't wear it often! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm2W040GLZyoBQBp-uSmBoW19rZeX2vIEauZuAWDOVUoIHkq7gVUQ45W6yVNYXxlYEVLiOZRec04Hy3WarYAHE_GkaJGx7mva0hjx7DCUnzW0m1iusHlrIVM0_0GbddmXXs1Nc737x14/s640/blogger-image-834089916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm2W040GLZyoBQBp-uSmBoW19rZeX2vIEauZuAWDOVUoIHkq7gVUQ45W6yVNYXxlYEVLiOZRec04Hy3WarYAHE_GkaJGx7mva0hjx7DCUnzW0m1iusHlrIVM0_0GbddmXXs1Nc737x14/s640/blogger-image-834089916.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These two are special. The boys birthstones, and a silhouette with my birthdate which belonged to my grandmother. This one was lost for ten years! I was cleaning out an old purse before donating it and found this in the pocket, the lining of the pocket! I am so glad I found it because I have very little from my grandmother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My mothers necklace is probably the most precious. Each stone represents a part of me that walks around outside of my body! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINPjJ6-xCVuaz_WgThn2WwiJlCHSlR8HYHogPy4MLv3LTqpZmk8L-GKR2yqSzF9467TMkFEbtHUc1AnBQT-iTdMIlbBkRy_z-1gjzhi1ozt516TXb2ISoNz5k4LtnY7wK5b_WdjWpXHI/s640/blogger-image-454057247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINPjJ6-xCVuaz_WgThn2WwiJlCHSlR8HYHogPy4MLv3LTqpZmk8L-GKR2yqSzF9467TMkFEbtHUc1AnBQT-iTdMIlbBkRy_z-1gjzhi1ozt516TXb2ISoNz5k4LtnY7wK5b_WdjWpXHI/s640/blogger-image-454057247.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Caleb is the sapphire, and he fits that stone quite well, he is bold, and strong and stands out in a crowd!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZXjC8cLOgP7u3vDALWGY3sqzVe58H2VRrPez6H-sqFf-7NF07dln1IUL2ks9iUhg4MM2AznDUe6uT4ZRgcIzVGmTkfXaX-yxfY3SnTEAmemtBHQaFbMXaiWv6n3vIuvwSknQKZl3rJE/s640/blogger-image-1832917243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZXjC8cLOgP7u3vDALWGY3sqzVe58H2VRrPez6H-sqFf-7NF07dln1IUL2ks9iUhg4MM2AznDUe6uT4ZRgcIzVGmTkfXaX-yxfY3SnTEAmemtBHQaFbMXaiWv6n3vIuvwSknQKZl3rJE/s640/blogger-image-1832917243.jpg"></a></div>Logan is the diamond, and that fits him as well. He is strong, but clear, and you can see through his emotions to his heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbPZ5ME4MCyehYpvF2s6bITjtHGhPAf7ygNGcYGQ7C0G615-NdecxAPfGQMr4LfObYqLghJJNPgdOu6bygUGgxRh7X69gHbo20t4HPvQuwMvuzDh04w9WqAruvWC6pV1y9d6M1EQpu3I/s640/blogger-image-2034509124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbPZ5ME4MCyehYpvF2s6bITjtHGhPAf7ygNGcYGQ7C0G615-NdecxAPfGQMr4LfObYqLghJJNPgdOu6bygUGgxRh7X69gHbo20t4HPvQuwMvuzDh04w9WqAruvWC6pV1y9d6M1EQpu3I/s640/blogger-image-2034509124.jpg"></a></div>Aaron is citrine, and that fits him as well. He is a light and a ray of sunshine to all around him! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So my mothers necklace is probably the one I hold most dear. It represent a these beautiful humans I love so much! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Join the fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJGf_9hgc7FXb2YsNGWfuZxWJyPWRwV3Fc0GslhKfN2n-dZZPx3vRxoFlcrI0EzRDTl-cPtSMxk9qFP-uXKN27k8nU4XLG6UmFxOpXD_ADRzmAs6h_VPiMVIYHrl-ulqzGKKRf7VmvNo/s640/blogger-image-1306932314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJGf_9hgc7FXb2YsNGWfuZxWJyPWRwV3Fc0GslhKfN2n-dZZPx3vRxoFlcrI0EzRDTl-cPtSMxk9qFP-uXKN27k8nU4XLG6UmFxOpXD_ADRzmAs6h_VPiMVIYHrl-ulqzGKKRf7VmvNo/s640/blogger-image-1306932314.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And check out Chelley over at http://www.aisforadelaide.com </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-32791158463808055902015-03-07T15:26:00.001-05:002015-03-07T15:26:14.816-05:00Week 9 - My past...a difficult topic... A4A52week<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWklJQrvSESQ9NoniJyIsEzNtE4qWS7hmOyfBsaaaIlghVUzTxqSdtmtbnfucnWfcN5HPLCb7pnqODaS5Ej4zPsSBbGLQbyxmvpQNJeFSFjncGqYWcwdh9c59V3ipPEL4nByVtvmmfG4s/s640/blogger-image-366195190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWklJQrvSESQ9NoniJyIsEzNtE4qWS7hmOyfBsaaaIlghVUzTxqSdtmtbnfucnWfcN5HPLCb7pnqODaS5Ej4zPsSBbGLQbyxmvpQNJeFSFjncGqYWcwdh9c59V3ipPEL4nByVtvmmfG4s/s640/blogger-image-366195190.jpg"></a></div>This week the prompt is one that is hard. My past.<div>When you talk about your past, you bring to light things you want to forget or things you want to remember. </div><div>For me, I enjoy leaving the past where it belongs, in the past, and moving forward. </div><div>If I remember my past, I remember my failed relationships, mistakes I made, lies I told, and even hearts I hurt. I am a person who wants to help others, and to think about the past, I often reflect on the times I failed. </div><div><br></div><div>I reflect on these because I want to do better. Make a better choice, choose a better word, be a better friend. I very often find myself failing to do better. </div><div><br></div><div>I am filled with a sadness about much of my past because of the what ifs.</div><div>I have missed out on a lot because of the what ifs.</div><div> I also recognize that the reason I am where I am today is because of the past. </div><div><br></div><div>The relationships I have with my family are because of moments we shared. The friendships I have are because of choices I made. The mom I am is because of lessons I learned along the way. </div><div><br></div><div>The things I have learned about myself are because of my past. My prayer is that the good will define the future. Not the bad. </div><div>I am a person who needs to learn to focus on the sun, not the rain. The laughter, not the tears. Life, not the past. </div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward, tethered to the past, remembering to be careful of my footing, is how I will view my past. It is the building blocks of my present, and the foundation of my future, however, I refuse to dig it up. </div><div><br></div><div>~~~~~~~~~~</div><div><br></div><div>Please join the 52 week challenge, and check out what Chelley has going on over at www.aisforadelaide.com</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSphvRWTcleoeGX-q8gE-1Nurh31IQEqAH4_OquB4ieNrBVmr7YsmQIbqv4tnMDQR0Jx6njNRdOvN3wsmRthGAmNB-iYhi0v5s3lzT211pzV2Azrp4yykj-euuQheAZzjp1xlU6rc038/s640/blogger-image-209575127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSphvRWTcleoeGX-q8gE-1Nurh31IQEqAH4_OquB4ieNrBVmr7YsmQIbqv4tnMDQR0Jx6njNRdOvN3wsmRthGAmNB-iYhi0v5s3lzT211pzV2Azrp4yykj-euuQheAZzjp1xlU6rc038/s640/blogger-image-209575127.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-85431059117120222912015-02-27T16:03:00.000-05:002015-02-27T16:03:16.497-05:00Week 8- A Friend I...So this week I write about a friend.<br />
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I have a few friends I could have written about, but I want to write about a friend I miss. A friend who has known me since my boys were young, even before one was born. She has been there for a lot. She probably knows all of my secrets, even the ones you never want anyone to know. I trust her to guard them, and I know she trusts me as well. </div>
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This woman took me in when I needed to be protected ( not physically but emotionally) and she has helped me through so much! I am talking about Amy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always has a smile!</td></tr>
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She was my boss when I worked for Lifetouch in Target. In all honesty, we just clicked. </div>
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She understood me, and I understood her. She made something that had been a hobby for me to become a passion. she inspired me to be more than just a photographer. she inspired me to believe in myself. without her, I never would have believed I could do this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYodV39LrLnLD7lKWZ2UShznrHtT0IBGsnepbppnDPTSAVmvJee54XOp0ybVDSTdpGqU3uGgtixrzE146bPpi0akJG5hoyN9ZEyq_XeA9-c1GYpo1Ohes4k4Rkd83VSqm3QMztz9kXigM/s640/blogger-image-209791957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYodV39LrLnLD7lKWZ2UShznrHtT0IBGsnepbppnDPTSAVmvJee54XOp0ybVDSTdpGqU3uGgtixrzE146bPpi0akJG5hoyN9ZEyq_XeA9-c1GYpo1Ohes4k4Rkd83VSqm3QMztz9kXigM/s640/blogger-image-209791957.jpg" /></a></div>
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Or even have a day where I said this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16EgJ8wNq9NwR1ADkclcjmxRC94NoOEf82x3dX09Tj0fG-79Zdb7BgU_TMonDNO9kdihvrzG6gVvAZzOSDGTtCsav36ELYeMqytbFtmpkNGjiIsVPbr1htnEVrh1nAu_3kveB_hNAHcQ/s640/blogger-image-900314303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16EgJ8wNq9NwR1ADkclcjmxRC94NoOEf82x3dX09Tj0fG-79Zdb7BgU_TMonDNO9kdihvrzG6gVvAZzOSDGTtCsav36ELYeMqytbFtmpkNGjiIsVPbr1htnEVrh1nAu_3kveB_hNAHcQ/s640/blogger-image-900314303.jpg" /></a></div>
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She is the type of friend where I can not see her for months and when we get back together it is like we were never apart. Together, we have photographed babies, weddings, and fathers & mothers going off to war who wanted one last memories with and for their children (just in case). We have taken first photos, and last family photos. We have created birth announcements, Christmas cards, Chanukah cards, and even valentines day and Easter cards. We have helped families with children with disabilities get the photos they never thought they could of their children. we have pulled our hair out trying to get that one perfect photo for that one mom (and often, I am that one mom). I feel like what we do together is so important because of that. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVtPdmX3GmDRxOjIlveSCZd9ptZE2h_eEhHf1hFSKIN8hCKSQCqHU46-scSVI8nT38GKlH5IfIG2tmgbsDYE0Lo-D9hmb7Avk6DbJIycxnX8JRB9oNXiAvuj5flF-lhX8NfTJ3QO8unE/s640/blogger-image--274983265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVtPdmX3GmDRxOjIlveSCZd9ptZE2h_eEhHf1hFSKIN8hCKSQCqHU46-scSVI8nT38GKlH5IfIG2tmgbsDYE0Lo-D9hmb7Avk6DbJIycxnX8JRB9oNXiAvuj5flF-lhX8NfTJ3QO8unE/s640/blogger-image--274983265.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From our digital conversion.</td></tr>
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I am no longer working at the studio with her, but I am still friends with her. Yay! </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PQdxOwNvOktYUY7pG97KwZV3ybtQT8yX6vUmsLVINADjaUEFddbIXbj_niL2XY99WMHoXdHV3u0evRmAlBR6FWOiEIijG1tEvwhdnslZVG5atc1VzrvC4YlKJJcu3TQ1Nzi_CycKT9Q/s640/blogger-image--27135496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PQdxOwNvOktYUY7pG97KwZV3ybtQT8yX6vUmsLVINADjaUEFddbIXbj_niL2XY99WMHoXdHV3u0evRmAlBR6FWOiEIijG1tEvwhdnslZVG5atc1VzrvC4YlKJJcu3TQ1Nzi_CycKT9Q/s640/blogger-image--27135496.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy pictures we took so many years ago!</td></tr>
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We text and talk. We message. We listen. We forgive. And she is the only person to ever dress my boys in dresses!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgnEVNbZU5ymsCE8ghdwtD6-KgcYv4lqmJlz8Ui8I49wFGvFqbvxYyY2cqGTgV9Jz975jqGH6PGEEM6Y5H4_EGp1gFVRHUif65YUmXuSZCEB8kf5IIAqTHiuSMSGa8fKXiwTOIRyJf1I/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgnEVNbZU5ymsCE8ghdwtD6-KgcYv4lqmJlz8Ui8I49wFGvFqbvxYyY2cqGTgV9Jz975jqGH6PGEEM6Y5H4_EGp1gFVRHUif65YUmXuSZCEB8kf5IIAqTHiuSMSGa8fKXiwTOIRyJf1I/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Logan at about 2 in one of Amy's daughters nightgowns!</td></tr>
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Ok well, a nightgown, and hair and makeup. but she loves these boys like they were hers. and she has fun with them like they were hers!</div>
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We go out for walks, and go to trampoline parks, and just plain have a blast together, but we also can be really serious together as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9xCAzl4mFt8Rq6DYPiwoC1LOG4Ulc252m_ihAF-p6Fx6t1T7-Ud9n-1I_7ncAjJKnI6T9p01X11TD78cCWHjuzY5QGOFk9jcra7vML5fObnu7onCIgXOYodq3E8GDv2ZWrdPCymqZVE/s1600/logan+peek+a+boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9xCAzl4mFt8Rq6DYPiwoC1LOG4Ulc252m_ihAF-p6Fx6t1T7-Ud9n-1I_7ncAjJKnI6T9p01X11TD78cCWHjuzY5QGOFk9jcra7vML5fObnu7onCIgXOYodq3E8GDv2ZWrdPCymqZVE/s1600/logan+peek+a+boo.jpg" /></a></div>
This picture is the result of the first time we met. I wanted to do Photos for Steve for Father's day, and I stopped by the studio. Amy was working. I was in my maternity yoga pants that I wore all the time, and a tank top. The boys were in mismatched shades of green. She said, "OK, do you want to schedule an appointment so you could plan their outfits?" I said, "no, these look OK, we can just take pictures like this." She and I still laugh about that moment. She brought my boys in the studio, pulled their shirts off, and did some shirtless brother photos, so cute by the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwqJixddpPc-LghVLVqDQ8CaG2q_AjEfoXVLtZ8pkKdtUwYPwwdytrTRzOmVkSOETNRFpv_hpkyHHsp2-Z-FbBlWag6QMJFbhKLuGJRtevzgOV7idGbrxbXdKDAHOMu9WDo6ObBDRRrw/s1600/caleb+and+logan+smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwqJixddpPc-LghVLVqDQ8CaG2q_AjEfoXVLtZ8pkKdtUwYPwwdytrTRzOmVkSOETNRFpv_hpkyHHsp2-Z-FbBlWag6QMJFbhKLuGJRtevzgOV7idGbrxbXdKDAHOMu9WDo6ObBDRRrw/s1600/caleb+and+logan+smiling.jpg" /></a></div>
Then, she had me stand there, and she rolled my pant legs up. The next thing I knew I was "in" the pictures, and before I knew it, I was IN the pictures: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbomblAX8IvX6bbR-BOR0H__gILtsNH2EN6pNWEfB-Y0mToFdn0BeyFZ0wx3247MLSDSC0wWcHBXt1P4EfKuFxs15vxpfj9XVjloiEzRKrgz9LRV66e-1Eb1cUnfSSyXpDi0KEM-iwOeg/s1600/mommy+with+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbomblAX8IvX6bbR-BOR0H__gILtsNH2EN6pNWEfB-Y0mToFdn0BeyFZ0wx3247MLSDSC0wWcHBXt1P4EfKuFxs15vxpfj9XVjloiEzRKrgz9LRV66e-1Eb1cUnfSSyXpDi0KEM-iwOeg/s1600/mommy+with+boys.jpg" /></a></div>
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By the time I left the studio, I had amazing pictures,<b> and</b> a part time job, and little did I know it, But I also had a friendship. </div>
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The next session was much better...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GXl_wy6Z66Y8plnCgnNrSPEvWdS6Fh32upszqj-MKyRXwd6YNMI__v6pR0AeLsKnZZZPOtGfR94VNKUkRUDAiRWv7ZpGGUofFfzHdm44tpC6ylo6qk7kWU6lyIikMdFcqG6DC_a9uEY/s1600/logan+and+caleb+12+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GXl_wy6Z66Y8plnCgnNrSPEvWdS6Fh32upszqj-MKyRXwd6YNMI__v6pR0AeLsKnZZZPOtGfR94VNKUkRUDAiRWv7ZpGGUofFfzHdm44tpC6ylo6qk7kWU6lyIikMdFcqG6DC_a9uEY/s1600/logan+and+caleb+12+2007.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture of these boys is still my favorite to this date, and I
cannot believe that I only have it in hard form, and a thumbnail digital
copy. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzQeUGpJ8t5XRnnPqGipwpUPIPUJdGAYweZxOwRGD69wODDKds76ofld3VPO4u8uf6UCG6IBlyGY_PothM3e2SnbdO0p9W6dKQJYU_RYbpdL3aJrJwYSQEs-30HePLCElGNydlU_9JiE/s1600/mommy+and+boys+easter+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzQeUGpJ8t5XRnnPqGipwpUPIPUJdGAYweZxOwRGD69wODDKds76ofld3VPO4u8uf6UCG6IBlyGY_PothM3e2SnbdO0p9W6dKQJYU_RYbpdL3aJrJwYSQEs-30HePLCElGNydlU_9JiE/s1600/mommy+and+boys+easter+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I even felt better about being in these pictures.<br />
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That is what Amy's friendship has done for me.<br />
It has helped me to be a better me. She has helped me discover things about myself I would have never believed. I am so grateful for her support, her love, and her willingness to drive from the southernmost part of RI to Cranston to watch me sing in a concert,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzrHhcJCfPkjXQGZuBUlUyQXv_9DJVq63ttjIcxPnDunFPZZT6QTmDS7Gfkvfi7n6fxopFaFLnEoZ4ekYlH67nO8rXTMFIDgt8ycW8TK_6RAZJf4EhgfPnpdhFau5MLb-LIfWlFk7Gqw/s640/blogger-image--907352378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzrHhcJCfPkjXQGZuBUlUyQXv_9DJVq63ttjIcxPnDunFPZZT6QTmDS7Gfkvfi7n6fxopFaFLnEoZ4ekYlH67nO8rXTMFIDgt8ycW8TK_6RAZJf4EhgfPnpdhFau5MLb-LIfWlFk7Gqw/s640/blogger-image--907352378.jpg" /></a></div>
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or to meet me in East Providence to go to a trampoline park,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtixIAQup5bg6P0-z_N_5tMCv6XyRrEY25WznmPCpZ4JKicT9tiYLdikwU2NFU20qcMyarkrHCaEl9KbNsKtGMsQlQKBKIQDSHVNGg4b_qaqzaRcx9AYHcyHvdfIS7uorcYNti9pHES-Q/s640/blogger-image-1593242706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtixIAQup5bg6P0-z_N_5tMCv6XyRrEY25WznmPCpZ4JKicT9tiYLdikwU2NFU20qcMyarkrHCaEl9KbNsKtGMsQlQKBKIQDSHVNGg4b_qaqzaRcx9AYHcyHvdfIS7uorcYNti9pHES-Q/s640/blogger-image-1593242706.jpg" /></a></div>
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or to meet me at Edaville Railroad on a rainy winter night,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenJ52B0e_tn5vOCr-MERRdiAZ6CtWoMPaQU_Xf25ZA9cxKHoflRT1SUjuZsk6y_IBsx6zonMcO1t1Opyzl89thKItPELSCjkDOIKM1WPs-2Las01Wk4WsI9c9v6eZBx7kpMiYXT6Z14I/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenJ52B0e_tn5vOCr-MERRdiAZ6CtWoMPaQU_Xf25ZA9cxKHoflRT1SUjuZsk6y_IBsx6zonMcO1t1Opyzl89thKItPELSCjkDOIKM1WPs-2Las01Wk4WsI9c9v6eZBx7kpMiYXT6Z14I/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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just so we can spend time together. She is always there. Even when we have had our issues, we have always found our way through them, and I am so grateful for that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2YF2I1D1zWpdr8ASJneI7NrTwE6Lk8tpirzm5OTdNN_JmMh5U0AGMlHt4RMCSMBr5lKi9Zk1WUguOY5Xh_M3vzV8cP7hCs6hBP0mwhGyMkuiUSrq4Qnc57MFj_Pzntq7sMm9XFUe4jo/s640/blogger-image-1652610669.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2YF2I1D1zWpdr8ASJneI7NrTwE6Lk8tpirzm5OTdNN_JmMh5U0AGMlHt4RMCSMBr5lKi9Zk1WUguOY5Xh_M3vzV8cP7hCs6hBP0mwhGyMkuiUSrq4Qnc57MFj_Pzntq7sMm9XFUe4jo/s640/blogger-image-1652610669.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We may not be a team at the studio anymore, but I will never forget the lesson I learned there! I will also always be thankful for the friendship!</td></tr>
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Stop by www.aisforadelaide.com and see more posts about friendships! Or join in the challenge! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJSfaaGp8MolUHfZ5PHDr8xYTRbVxduCb4HBlopbHw6YGsbQ_IvYuRo9UjCwoc2vEpKYGTmgoL1f-PViPCVDP9DGM9sBZrk26G-rHl537CvF2-QIikT9eVYBFNxwpB5E1wFK4Cw_BqIo/s640/blogger-image-1285624439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJSfaaGp8MolUHfZ5PHDr8xYTRbVxduCb4HBlopbHw6YGsbQ_IvYuRo9UjCwoc2vEpKYGTmgoL1f-PViPCVDP9DGM9sBZrk26G-rHl537CvF2-QIikT9eVYBFNxwpB5E1wFK4Cw_BqIo/s640/blogger-image-1285624439.jpg" /></a></div>
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Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-82285077843743110022015-02-20T17:46:00.001-05:002015-02-20T21:25:11.464-05:00Week 7 - The Best Mile #a4a52weekchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZuxXPsvPn9ilaVAwZcehodoUIvUCKAm708O7E1TXtQXfqbdST7GIcrOvKAeryGif5kZrPIjRevnMJU7i4nqJNs20Nkuwr8YTiEXk_itoXfdED6KuVb7fGah9wXofWdVzLOu1xXh3OwY/s640/blogger-image-1037175710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZuxXPsvPn9ilaVAwZcehodoUIvUCKAm708O7E1TXtQXfqbdST7GIcrOvKAeryGif5kZrPIjRevnMJU7i4nqJNs20Nkuwr8YTiEXk_itoXfdED6KuVb7fGah9wXofWdVzLOu1xXh3OwY/s640/blogger-image-1037175710.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is hard to believe that I am writing week 7 already when I feel like I just wrote week 6! By the end of the weekend I will have a blog about the vacation, with pictures! Photo of Darth Vader to help you understand vacation was epic!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6uXTFUwTViwkVjPY3SUaQ0O_6N7N42jRXEi4u35QHLQDbWdumcgtjRP0VUOuOapm1RPVv2ObwucQK0dMDm6DmxKsD02fZBIoIM_bX6TIgAWPFbbWMb0IaAEdGxd1andwkaCTwjGa5fg/s640/blogger-image-1418319408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6uXTFUwTViwkVjPY3SUaQ0O_6N7N42jRXEi4u35QHLQDbWdumcgtjRP0VUOuOapm1RPVv2ObwucQK0dMDm6DmxKsD02fZBIoIM_bX6TIgAWPFbbWMb0IaAEdGxd1andwkaCTwjGa5fg/s640/blogger-image-1418319408.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But first, the best mile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I want to believe that every mile you move forward is a great mile. I am not an athlete, or at least I don't consider myself an athlete. I have a lot of athlete clothes, and a lot of athlete hear, but I am not in the best shape, I need to lose weight, I need to be stronger at using my will power. I need to be stronger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first mile I ever ran as an adult was a 20+ minute mile. It sucked. It hit me in the gut and made me realize that I am not an athlete. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyhoUVKutsptcSTd6CxTa6Rvg15qS8Y0iUS_bv4RAWRukIP8gXe0pUod9EGFSoA_8WFxyWXnn6M8qny3kSdYjU3tAsMih-WCzxklcqWzPaUuZCBOlFU9_mA1Se4Wnf49C5Xl9JLd2G7E/s640/blogger-image--1692601731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyhoUVKutsptcSTd6CxTa6Rvg15qS8Y0iUS_bv4RAWRukIP8gXe0pUod9EGFSoA_8WFxyWXnn6M8qny3kSdYjU3tAsMih-WCzxklcqWzPaUuZCBOlFU9_mA1Se4Wnf49C5Xl9JLd2G7E/s640/blogger-image--1692601731.jpg"></a></div>Well, I am not much better than a 20 minute mile runner now. But one thing I do have is an attitude that I can do it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTaC3_2Uf6IjFTOC27vy8lCtwbRdqqeC2uRSO62Iw4TFRKFkztDBjJnNBh7N6M9g4D_3WcXSLH3ZpWWlyRSKS23uoXPlZaG-O1BQdJfGqZtF8smYc-TKkFgHRxTNeZe9tEu2TDrTSCFo/s640/blogger-image-1308043364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTaC3_2Uf6IjFTOC27vy8lCtwbRdqqeC2uRSO62Iw4TFRKFkztDBjJnNBh7N6M9g4D_3WcXSLH3ZpWWlyRSKS23uoXPlZaG-O1BQdJfGqZtF8smYc-TKkFgHRxTNeZe9tEu2TDrTSCFo/s640/blogger-image-1308043364.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I look at my run keeper and since 2011 I have run over 300 miles! It sounds like a lot, but that is 300 miles over 4 years and well, that is not a lot, but it is better than none! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JlyOyn5R6ou-vEAS6QvP_fdTFtOa9hOXKA9WbaW4cR3y3WJVHfE1jXgEyLk5eiJnSe3hMdP9q6ca8N49cv7T4NUWYbV4OiR2qPSAZUeIqBm6HGmaHddZNioju5UhaGtAwM73BwujkU4/s640/blogger-image--901478546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JlyOyn5R6ou-vEAS6QvP_fdTFtOa9hOXKA9WbaW4cR3y3WJVHfE1jXgEyLk5eiJnSe3hMdP9q6ca8N49cv7T4NUWYbV4OiR2qPSAZUeIqBm6HGmaHddZNioju5UhaGtAwM73BwujkU4/s640/blogger-image--901478546.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used to think running alone was my favorite thing to do. I loved the music in my ears, and no one to tell me what my pace should be. Well, I was wrong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV3gu5HelP_DFfGxzQzp4ngiMvJlzO2oKqL52CedIiUjSf3kGCSI61AYlieHLcs07maF9O0IARSRi35i9QYgCNmzqG9p6pIokpX1kITEAOxfFhiTWW17PCS8FeqefxBgy7C4dM79ByOE/s640/blogger-image-22944243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV3gu5HelP_DFfGxzQzp4ngiMvJlzO2oKqL52CedIiUjSf3kGCSI61AYlieHLcs07maF9O0IARSRi35i9QYgCNmzqG9p6pIokpX1kITEAOxfFhiTWW17PCS8FeqefxBgy7C4dM79ByOE/s640/blogger-image-22944243.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have had a few running partners, but none got me quite like my running partner now. We just click. I would say the first mile I ran with her was the best mile. And it wasn't even when we started as running partners. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2x5W79U1zVm2FI4S-KRId9GS4eixjKY8JqbgB4WLmUFU5yjtWfzGEamyu7JhOXS_zCpvmNynOfTMZQ0xX_KgTXgG_f5y6lwnqB9bKJuFyhRwblNsQxfdyytES5WqKM_nFXbBV4b0i3M/s640/blogger-image-1227431109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2x5W79U1zVm2FI4S-KRId9GS4eixjKY8JqbgB4WLmUFU5yjtWfzGEamyu7JhOXS_zCpvmNynOfTMZQ0xX_KgTXgG_f5y6lwnqB9bKJuFyhRwblNsQxfdyytES5WqKM_nFXbBV4b0i3M/s640/blogger-image-1227431109.jpg"></a></div>Almost 2 years ago Steve said, "Hey, want to do the CVS 5k with me? It is for Adelaide." I said ok, and forgot about it. I do that a lot, and then dates sneak up on me, and then I get nervous, and then I back out. I almost backed out on this day. The day before the race I said "hey, I will still do that race." Because I hadn't been training I didn't think I could do it. But I tried. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had my best mile ever that day. But that wasn't even the point. It was the first race (and I think only race) Steve and I ran together. He stayed with me. The man who has no patience for almost anything stayed with me through the race. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9-J2kWAB2saTQd6xK2OdIort9g04vd7qRff-xp5ICC6CEjerCDqb7vb66uyleZCSFCzOQSaeax0PNZeRgIbyhRXmdEkfKDhbhEUJZArM7nK4oHyCdCf7nqsc2iES-OcettPPHbQKVrM/s640/blogger-image-842649889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9-J2kWAB2saTQd6xK2OdIort9g04vd7qRff-xp5ICC6CEjerCDqb7vb66uyleZCSFCzOQSaeax0PNZeRgIbyhRXmdEkfKDhbhEUJZArM7nK4oHyCdCf7nqsc2iES-OcettPPHbQKVrM/s640/blogger-image-842649889.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I remember being so jealous of Chelley as she ran off at a great pace and there I was sucking wind like it was through a milkshake straw! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX1PTdXyqJM6e-S0qQK660-YsKCocLtD1MR5tL5fcUHd5lYHezkXnsih-a3mctzvK6v115X76TjH02T5L5D9fFwyF5ESiZp1ZTORt62hOjUTxvpEILKFJRzy7Lcr3XyZl0eyJygV-hnI/s640/blogger-image--881290649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX1PTdXyqJM6e-S0qQK660-YsKCocLtD1MR5tL5fcUHd5lYHezkXnsih-a3mctzvK6v115X76TjH02T5L5D9fFwyF5ESiZp1ZTORt62hOjUTxvpEILKFJRzy7Lcr3XyZl0eyJygV-hnI/s640/blogger-image--881290649.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I have grown to know her, as our friendship has grown, I realize my jealousy was misplaced. She has worked her tail off to have the pace she has. She has worked hard to be where she is at. She is not someone to envy, she is someone to learn from, to grow with, to see as a teacher and an example. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are running partners. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We run together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We walk together when one of us is struggling to run/breathe/live in the moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have braved cold, and snow, and even a blizzard to run. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I will run in any weather, if I know I have someone counting on me, and we have become each other's balance. We know we are waiting for each other, so we run. No matter the weather we will be out there as long as it is safe! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9HnXdMQ9_o4X-HpARz87IS3nAr9agUrpxXynCvgxuGHOVVSXfXjtfjxfnQeN-vozSAGJbzcPvOiO9mBwdPg0ydszzPWLujoOPr3_oN8w_8qHriCCBb_RNmmoidvJcOjmpr1dVEVkFOc/s640/blogger-image--132860095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9HnXdMQ9_o4X-HpARz87IS3nAr9agUrpxXynCvgxuGHOVVSXfXjtfjxfnQeN-vozSAGJbzcPvOiO9mBwdPg0ydszzPWLujoOPr3_oN8w_8qHriCCBb_RNmmoidvJcOjmpr1dVEVkFOc/s640/blogger-image--132860095.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, the best mile is any mile you run, in my opinion. Long, short, fast, slow, alone, together, sun or snow. Just get out there! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMh26pmWRpN8iV-tEwDsBVN4CRYvf1UMTIOtlbckIByQ6qOIWXMbNM59-J2Rk5JWVGKMWyH5UaZEiVXtS8S_5fs7eVHrlECxvhg9imU2mbzyGheayxo7j2LVerXRPZkeUJ5Rrx4yf5Vo/s640/blogger-image--71326447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMh26pmWRpN8iV-tEwDsBVN4CRYvf1UMTIOtlbckIByQ6qOIWXMbNM59-J2Rk5JWVGKMWyH5UaZEiVXtS8S_5fs7eVHrlECxvhg9imU2mbzyGheayxo7j2LVerXRPZkeUJ5Rrx4yf5Vo/s640/blogger-image--71326447.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also want to add that I am so glad that the boys have joined in Steve's and my passion for running! Makes it a lot of fun when we all love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While you are thinking about that mile, consider writing about it! Join in the fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Check out http://www.aisforadelaide.com and join the 52 week challenge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVOudLINiam0EUOcRj9FsENZLIFp-E7zF6Uz0hPbfDHchCgtxY3HEq7SDejTghLxbyTTi3bSB4MUZsMKz05oL224qBSaWuktxgUhmIgrG25nunm5G-Z7PF49hUQlZ4yVr41aa38muAJs/s640/blogger-image--1927711220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVOudLINiam0EUOcRj9FsENZLIFp-E7zF6Uz0hPbfDHchCgtxY3HEq7SDejTghLxbyTTi3bSB4MUZsMKz05oL224qBSaWuktxgUhmIgrG25nunm5G-Z7PF49hUQlZ4yVr41aa38muAJs/s640/blogger-image--1927711220.jpg"></a></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-2191701556391231632015-02-13T13:44:00.001-05:002015-02-15T07:09:59.521-05:00Week 6 - a family member who... #a4a52weekchallengeIt is really hard to pick a family member to write about. <div><br></div><div>I talked about my parents last week, and they each get their own spotlight down the road. </div><div><br></div><div>My sister was born second in line. She was full of drama from the beginning, and it is part of what makes her who she is! </div><div><br></div><div>On Easter morning of the year my sister was born, I was excited to meet my baby sister, and angry that my sister was my present from the Easter Bunny. Little did I know how things were going to turn out. </div><div><br></div><div>I arrived at the hospital to meet my baby sister. She wasn't in her room. The start of her life was crazy, but thankfully a diligent, observant nurse saved her life. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayM6n1ifbx1E9HG0d6HTICEmRC12WquLKjM3PI_f7CnCwR_8BIpv6HIZsbLj8cdOvz0rSqftNgJNyaxifs3FitY9EG0Zbv5VCcyUQifOduWiYINmS2Aq6KtWzhDRLtTWz2Cgal88Wrqg/s640/blogger-image-1735749964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayM6n1ifbx1E9HG0d6HTICEmRC12WquLKjM3PI_f7CnCwR_8BIpv6HIZsbLj8cdOvz0rSqftNgJNyaxifs3FitY9EG0Zbv5VCcyUQifOduWiYINmS2Aq6KtWzhDRLtTWz2Cgal88Wrqg/s640/blogger-image-1735749964.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>As Megan got older, she was almost never sick, but when she was it was bad. Megan never does anything small...it is always go big or go home. This dynamic was hard for me as her older sister. It isn't easy to be the jealous older sister. Megan was tall, skinny (still is) and had all of the friends. Even people my age were friends with Megan. This was a tough for me to get through. I started to resent her, but that has since past. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHDO8h5oKgidXTSxVuTOn6C0Him4b0A2OuE1SmiW3-qwjwwiI9r6oqz3AbAvsGBE04U0cj6a-MoNEdxIcwuyRzmjqaLfguPYT8trMXqKyzKMhrdZPRncGpz7iBdgkBMLRRsd7tSlxJFc/s640/blogger-image--979914109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHDO8h5oKgidXTSxVuTOn6C0Him4b0A2OuE1SmiW3-qwjwwiI9r6oqz3AbAvsGBE04U0cj6a-MoNEdxIcwuyRzmjqaLfguPYT8trMXqKyzKMhrdZPRncGpz7iBdgkBMLRRsd7tSlxJFc/s640/blogger-image--979914109.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I had to realize that my reactions to my sisters life were not because of her. They were MY reactions, not hers. </div><div>As we have aged together, I find that I am able to see her as a unique individual whom I am not in a competition with. We are different, and that is the way it is supposed to be! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadsnN32ruBg7Xfmd38uCvEM3J-8CVHKAUkxXgGsBAYg1sP9WSLlMnIu4z0biYUlZWes81m1_61oh0aOyaYQ3rRsSicz1q5NE7VwOzeUoVQdeVQiOZBpXFpLs1_yVrB80P5qvmIW8Joo/s640/blogger-image-399540293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadsnN32ruBg7Xfmd38uCvEM3J-8CVHKAUkxXgGsBAYg1sP9WSLlMnIu4z0biYUlZWes81m1_61oh0aOyaYQ3rRsSicz1q5NE7VwOzeUoVQdeVQiOZBpXFpLs1_yVrB80P5qvmIW8Joo/s640/blogger-image-399540293.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Now, I am certainly not saying we see eye to eye now. She will be the first one to tell you and there are probably not two more different people than she and I in our beliefs, but we are sisters, and we have learned mutual respect for each other. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T7qC5N_A-VWeXFGknQfF5iBewsiKyq5vC42y1W214oYkZc9orM56EwGPWu633u_SVlRdm2497F7mEu_ZhCcIcpQ_S39PgUEySUMsO5CQgxwYoM8xUFsBP2i-S80GtPkDb4NKrbOefnk/s640/blogger-image-4500823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T7qC5N_A-VWeXFGknQfF5iBewsiKyq5vC42y1W214oYkZc9orM56EwGPWu633u_SVlRdm2497F7mEu_ZhCcIcpQ_S39PgUEySUMsO5CQgxwYoM8xUFsBP2i-S80GtPkDb4NKrbOefnk/s640/blogger-image-4500823.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We have learned to let each other be ourselves, and to unite in our similarities. She is a beautiful mother to my nieces, and an exuberant auntie to my boys.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjESUqeE63QvOjIu87eilhig5FB8G2jvZo7OD22emlnk2DwPacMI1_vRBSCIEQlc77j9XlDBXbBP2VM5FxbCP-Abc27Ywqhlu3MA2836ULN3l4t4biSTXJsDLoW6OG2jtjd2qbDZ9yCqU/s640/blogger-image-1355132471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjESUqeE63QvOjIu87eilhig5FB8G2jvZo7OD22emlnk2DwPacMI1_vRBSCIEQlc77j9XlDBXbBP2VM5FxbCP-Abc27Ywqhlu3MA2836ULN3l4t4biSTXJsDLoW6OG2jtjd2qbDZ9yCqU/s640/blogger-image-1355132471.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> I love her, and I am so glad we can have moments like these to remember!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTABKdeKskMZaw4glV5V11SbUzilMVv6RzTW8050ByKQUq0lH3UYOvkIxK_sp1HqlfXKLv6TcTUFNsuNDFBOo3m_9s-YO5nRzEGovLoQ57GHX9YUeUZshCQqovs9DFm3nCVCImaCrlYEA/s640/blogger-image-620537747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTABKdeKskMZaw4glV5V11SbUzilMVv6RzTW8050ByKQUq0lH3UYOvkIxK_sp1HqlfXKLv6TcTUFNsuNDFBOo3m_9s-YO5nRzEGovLoQ57GHX9YUeUZshCQqovs9DFm3nCVCImaCrlYEA/s640/blogger-image-620537747.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And also these:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAfqnlmil-Bw66LRPgS5_wduYUqD8HZt-4H3CLHGHNPPU4ahmQdP3Rzq5o51m5G2uQ3l82zuV-zYztGKQ62kacFoq42PyWDi9GbDBcpPlHH8mitPu-1ns4V1xXfpziIOz66g7kvq0emc/s640/blogger-image-1835735644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAfqnlmil-Bw66LRPgS5_wduYUqD8HZt-4H3CLHGHNPPU4ahmQdP3Rzq5o51m5G2uQ3l82zuV-zYztGKQ62kacFoq42PyWDi9GbDBcpPlHH8mitPu-1ns4V1xXfpziIOz66g7kvq0emc/s640/blogger-image-1835735644.jpg"></a></div>I love her, and I am grateful we have found peace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Check out http://www.aisforadelaide.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And join in on the 52 week challenge! It is never too late! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDxlE5o9bKOAd8NmTxA0IXbFviSuHhHh4v9KVTWwnEyMn_86Ms-wsDU2pQaDNY6BMS5uVLfaj9vnyV7b_t6sdjjWyDbJzWkVPSowJDWPW6EIGGid6DaHZRXAOWcbsAwepE2ufrSyMo1Q/s640/blogger-image-609706599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDxlE5o9bKOAd8NmTxA0IXbFviSuHhHh4v9KVTWwnEyMn_86Ms-wsDU2pQaDNY6BMS5uVLfaj9vnyV7b_t6sdjjWyDbJzWkVPSowJDWPW6EIGGid6DaHZRXAOWcbsAwepE2ufrSyMo1Q/s640/blogger-image-609706599.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-45350775895936376282015-02-06T20:09:00.001-05:002015-02-06T20:42:49.482-05:00Week 5 a childhood memory a4a52weekchallenge<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOrGVQmS6JovlKkdbU61XIaBoQcWaNVOz85LqvQK-JDXP1nuDptlUMqMqKfktnwewMEy-Oy_sAcyvC5lGedzfvpJvScm-DXub12DLUbhOVgKd4s9LO7haEo9h4TBjYQxnThpb335bP_w/s640/blogger-image-2069948952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOrGVQmS6JovlKkdbU61XIaBoQcWaNVOz85LqvQK-JDXP1nuDptlUMqMqKfktnwewMEy-Oy_sAcyvC5lGedzfvpJvScm-DXub12DLUbhOVgKd4s9LO7haEo9h4TBjYQxnThpb335bP_w/s640/blogger-image-2069948952.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>Balloons</div><div><br></div><div>Some people love them.</div><div>Other people hate them.</div><div>But as a child (as old as 16) balloons meant your birthday was here. My parents would do this scavenger hunt thing that was awesome. We would wake up to a balloon in our room. It had a clue on it. Sometimes the balloon clues would lead to a small present and sometimes to another clue. </div><div><br></div><div>I didn't realize it then, but my parents put in a tremendous amount of effort creating these scavenger hunts. Clues which led to other clues which led to more clues and then at last a present. It was so hard to figure out the clues sometimes and you never passed a clue to get to another. Just the thought that goes into this seems astounding. And as a mom to three now it is just unrealistic that they did this!</div><div><br></div><div>But one year, my 16th birthday, they outdid themselves. They did a "balloon bouquet" with clues, and I received them in the car. On this journey my parents drove me from location to location that the clues led to. My school, the hospital I was born at, and many other locations. They even cued the music in the car to fit the location and event in my life. And at each location I received a small present and each present matched the location as well.</div><div><br></div><div> I will be honest, I do not remember what the "big present" was that year, but I remember the journey. My parents worked so hard for that journey. I hope my parents know that even if that journey didn't seem like it excited me it did. I remember it like yesterday, and I wish I could live in that moment of loving joy. </div><div><br></div><div>It is only now as a parent myself that I realize what a sacrifice that was. Of their time, of their sleep, of their resources, to be that tuned in to your child on their birthday. The gift I still have from that day, the gift that helps me remember their love daily is a bracelet that they are for me. It lives in my jewelry box. It's elastic has worn as it is 19 years old, but here a week out from my birthday, one that was a hard one for me (and I can't tell you why) I am grateful for this simple reminder of my parents love for me. Thank you mom and dad for the living memories you gave me! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt0gg7N7G_tJ6clMLayY_vTUhaNmz_Yzb_MZphKOm373uxkmc6ShYMhhi1eLJ5Rf9ywlTBQmTBuR1DpWTS9Y-JuW5pxFANfty5C9u_16NCLtMN6kKfmDkGZp7O0unZnsk5LP82OWq368/s640/blogger-image--2042163557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt0gg7N7G_tJ6clMLayY_vTUhaNmz_Yzb_MZphKOm373uxkmc6ShYMhhi1eLJ5Rf9ywlTBQmTBuR1DpWTS9Y-JuW5pxFANfty5C9u_16NCLtMN6kKfmDkGZp7O0unZnsk5LP82OWq368/s640/blogger-image--2042163557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you Chelley for posting this 52 week challenge! It has been amazing to be writing again! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Check out www.aisforadelaide.com to see what she is posting about this week! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it is never too late to join the 52 week writing challenge! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71aWQbzchKZYOFwF81IFThlybqzELGtxYskb-rhORGylmNbv8O4AhaV4lRVYqYHdAsxp5PKkOFNoeCi7p8d7dsRn1HXqk9zhcNu64-KWrpkHbPbpxTu4483mGu4gLZ2igUQ2URPvcRUY/s640/blogger-image-1940928403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71aWQbzchKZYOFwF81IFThlybqzELGtxYskb-rhORGylmNbv8O4AhaV4lRVYqYHdAsxp5PKkOFNoeCi7p8d7dsRn1HXqk9zhcNu64-KWrpkHbPbpxTu4483mGu4gLZ2igUQ2URPvcRUY/s640/blogger-image-1940928403.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-5844444241261667102015-02-01T14:54:00.001-05:002015-02-01T14:54:50.640-05:00Go Pats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>So, when I married Steve he wasn't a football fanatic. Not at all. And that was ok because I didn't love sitting around watching sports. <div><br></div><div>Well, times have changed. I don't know if it is maturity, working for a football legend (Gale Sayers) or being a father, but Steve is now a fan. A huge Patriots fan! He has shirts, and blankets and hats. </div><div><br></div><div>But now, it isn't just Steve, it is the boys as well. </div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22_0TKpUqBCn2heyA4THJ6CWQqy9kwFGe-vA-q5IGQ7EQcI9ww3TcDSGiiPG0UsE8UZcAtpcgwHmCWPzfAmb7hqYs6yhGfRY7dV2CRUGwsT4SlRcIj6zKGxqHGyyOb_AONJn7l1vs96o/s640/blogger-image-1647795959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22_0TKpUqBCn2heyA4THJ6CWQqy9kwFGe-vA-q5IGQ7EQcI9ww3TcDSGiiPG0UsE8UZcAtpcgwHmCWPzfAmb7hqYs6yhGfRY7dV2CRUGwsT4SlRcIj6zKGxqHGyyOb_AONJn7l1vs96o/s640/blogger-image-1647795959.jpg"></a></font></div><div><br></div><div>These are their new Patriots blankets which Aaron squealed about getting. And Logan has a new found love of collecting football cards. </div><div><br></div><div>All of this to say, enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday! </div><div>Love, the Johnson Family</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlVAi8z2SaBHo1ThXA1gpAnIjZSC3DWzKB8uG07mpsP9tAdGA5x8puRAdxGAEC1jChSvwD69gnXvAwGmJTUUImmwEFo6cwXPy98JIKiOgPuBfz-p2nEsws3Hx85LiPLkH16h7_TI_I3o/s640/blogger-image-491237764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlVAi8z2SaBHo1ThXA1gpAnIjZSC3DWzKB8uG07mpsP9tAdGA5x8puRAdxGAEC1jChSvwD69gnXvAwGmJTUUImmwEFo6cwXPy98JIKiOgPuBfz-p2nEsws3Hx85LiPLkH16h7_TI_I3o/s640/blogger-image-491237764.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-70796072659824025232015-01-29T08:02:00.001-05:002015-01-30T18:39:52.581-05:00Week 3 - #52weekchallenge Vacations...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5LDmo4SG6nmEmzs2iWvly29vG04c3YE_rTWdUKKZn46k5MS8O4hlM-G0zmgBlT0LleL3alKNpyBZ9WDTrXhAY0PwOPi938ushHaKlac-_oXE9ejGP7rupABty3eDSL_kedVOdU2B0gM/s640/blogger-image-640732069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5LDmo4SG6nmEmzs2iWvly29vG04c3YE_rTWdUKKZn46k5MS8O4hlM-G0zmgBlT0LleL3alKNpyBZ9WDTrXhAY0PwOPi938ushHaKlac-_oXE9ejGP7rupABty3eDSL_kedVOdU2B0gM/s640/blogger-image-640732069.jpg"></a></div>It is hard to post about my best vacation. <div>We have been fortunate to go on many of them. Mostly to the same place, a lot! </div><div>Disney World is a place we have been to many times. Sometimes twice a year. Not recently, but it has been known to happen. </div><div>We have been to Disneyland in California as well. Most recently to Vero Beach. Coming up though we have our first return Disney World since August of 2011. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADo_4HsvKdry5Pk2k7Qg9cgviOejxo8P7UFtDl5t1noSmYBMHdEkUopjK2-eGRjgGXUDw7EFQYSAAVhJAT8ZkTTdof9mp7zdBTTmuc-V2kWt93JNwQif8ZOOla1ndvVuk2vMJlbJx-Ac/s640/blogger-image-2109120578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADo_4HsvKdry5Pk2k7Qg9cgviOejxo8P7UFtDl5t1noSmYBMHdEkUopjK2-eGRjgGXUDw7EFQYSAAVhJAT8ZkTTdof9mp7zdBTTmuc-V2kWt93JNwQif8ZOOla1ndvVuk2vMJlbJx-Ac/s640/blogger-image-2109120578.jpg"></a></div>So, how do we get to go so often, and how have we not needed to remortgage our home to do so? </div><div><br></div><div>Well, we plan way ahead. </div><div>The best way to visit Disney at a lower cost to you is to prepare ahead. One of the best things we ever did was purchase points in the Disney Vacation Club. </div><div>We pay monthly for this. Our payments will last approximately 10 years for 50 years of vacations. This is huge because we can stay at any Disney hotel on Disney property, and use our points. Each hotel has a different point value, but we get a vacation no matter where we stay! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG0brSjnoD75LvtiKH6rbgZWeM_-Ea8-abpstODeAVwhBls4L1ALrD4uz8aWW-kbwJVEK1NpaEvgtaoVtn3AQmDquNMBQcDyJPIfnWBoHYw6pq_zqVFvEoF79e49MjmNXmAlnTQLPpps/s640/blogger-image--1045033880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG0brSjnoD75LvtiKH6rbgZWeM_-Ea8-abpstODeAVwhBls4L1ALrD4uz8aWW-kbwJVEK1NpaEvgtaoVtn3AQmDquNMBQcDyJPIfnWBoHYw6pq_zqVFvEoF79e49MjmNXmAlnTQLPpps/s640/blogger-image--1045033880.jpg"></a></div>Tickets!!!! Disney theme park tickets are expensive. There is no easy way around paying to go into the parks. Remember, those tickets pay for ride repairs, employees, and much else in the park. (And I know, it is not nearly their only source of revenue...). When we were going every year we would purchase 10 day park hoppers with no expiration. This meant we would have 10 total days to go into the parks, but normally we would us 5 a trip. They are good forever, so it didn't matter when our next trip was. We still have 1-2 days in a few tickets. This is the least "cost per day" option, but it is a huge investment up front. When we went twice a year, or close to it with our annual trips, we would buy annual passes! About the same cost as the ten day, but it is unlimited for one year of access. I believe one year our marathon trip overlapped and we got three trips on one annual pass! With the annual pass you get discounts as well on shopping. It varies by year. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_uNOJiEufA_aNu8ERh7N5SJXMIgvmwm6UStmN3RWYaxGYQaRmAJiH6fanhNIbpInVXphqJeOZtf0HScCZ6CbWDzlxFguRo5S7L1Do3K5ZsddfPYb3lfvYJRcRsstzyDuF11AO9PBkyY/s640/blogger-image--228227757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_uNOJiEufA_aNu8ERh7N5SJXMIgvmwm6UStmN3RWYaxGYQaRmAJiH6fanhNIbpInVXphqJeOZtf0HScCZ6CbWDzlxFguRo5S7L1Do3K5ZsddfPYb3lfvYJRcRsstzyDuF11AO9PBkyY/s640/blogger-image--228227757.jpg"></a></div>But the plane costs more than the tickets!?!? This is the part where you are going to tell me how crazy I am...</div><div>We don't fly</div><div>We travel from Rhode Island to Florida by car. We drive our family to Florida and probably crazy, but we drive. As a child, my parents would take us cross country in the car. I learned to drive in a road trip. </div><div>So we drive. We pay for gas, and three meals on the road, and we get there at the cost of less than one plane ticket. And I love it because flying is horrible for me. The anxiety of packing to fit in a plane and not having an exit plan...too much! So we drive! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBS-B0pjGUmH9lC9hDTBDz0a6XYMKe1Ca34QV8yWvqMxwqySyiU83eIEQ1FccvBQLZO7k0gnY7-QR4wvXGHXfWP6gMjPM_MB1HnearuSUcczDmCGIjjg8KSjPsSKQfkR5cQM1R93WUT0/s640/blogger-image--615991949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBS-B0pjGUmH9lC9hDTBDz0a6XYMKe1Ca34QV8yWvqMxwqySyiU83eIEQ1FccvBQLZO7k0gnY7-QR4wvXGHXfWP6gMjPM_MB1HnearuSUcczDmCGIjjg8KSjPsSKQfkR5cQM1R93WUT0/s640/blogger-image--615991949.jpg"></a></div>Now food, food in the park can be expensive, but head out for a night at the movies and you will pay close to the same. And why do you pay that much? Because they have employees to pay. But, you don't have to eat every meal in the park. We drive, and stay in a room with a kitchen. So we get the benefit of prepping breakfast, packing snacks and refrigeration. All very important. So we buy supplies at a local Target and out cost is lower. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k3oem9sPLRoo7N5uXykvq0WuNbuFVIUZdBtoaTd7ZkwdFEe8hXgwPRkW2OUEoJCGEkQurA4yHhdjZ99uPuX2xFiqif6abT7WMlkZSDWIFRNTq8QBeAMjm2F6HKiynha3xvTm2qoGwI8/s640/blogger-image-353688730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k3oem9sPLRoo7N5uXykvq0WuNbuFVIUZdBtoaTd7ZkwdFEe8hXgwPRkW2OUEoJCGEkQurA4yHhdjZ99uPuX2xFiqif6abT7WMlkZSDWIFRNTq8QBeAMjm2F6HKiynha3xvTm2qoGwI8/s640/blogger-image-353688730.jpg"></a></div>To relax, well, we ride rides, swim, and go window shopping. We try to pack a few board games and talk ahead of time about what is important and what we should skip. We askake it a point to spend time just sitting in the park for even a few minutes and taking in the fact that we are there! You CAN NOT see everything at WDW in one trip. EVER! So don't try. Know you will miss things, plan to go again, and just enjoy the people you are with! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEPViZTAcBvDadxEIOaHeIdUl3X-mfbhuWwhykcqxTorAPerhuLxygxFzqSPFA4TJyXTK33HUj0M398RAfwvrLykPUBPkKfhei0ktGLLVbRQNngVqLMgQ5ZdOgrlUu7LWBFeUB0ZrSx4/s640/blogger-image-773878765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEPViZTAcBvDadxEIOaHeIdUl3X-mfbhuWwhykcqxTorAPerhuLxygxFzqSPFA4TJyXTK33HUj0M398RAfwvrLykPUBPkKfhei0ktGLLVbRQNngVqLMgQ5ZdOgrlUu7LWBFeUB0ZrSx4/s640/blogger-image-773878765.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I know this was a detour from my assignment, but the last family vacation I took was not a pleasant one for reason I won't mention here. I pray that the one coming up will be something to write about! In fact I know it will!</div><div><br></div><div>So what is your favorite vacation? </div><div>Why? </div><div>And would you recommend it to others?</div><div><br></div><div>And it is never too late to join the 52 week challenge from http://aisforadelaide.com</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBVnhCZJNYSDognzjG8AjxWTuGa17dDsJxD4cBqIrmeT3N-AN5s_umpURRCWVCEBQ4T8WBrkMl62bKZhTSldeEneuIJFeYls-HVLasqye08E4-KZcF_ch602ZJMeag_1_xxsk7_e2_rU/s640/blogger-image--1460330507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBVnhCZJNYSDognzjG8AjxWTuGa17dDsJxD4cBqIrmeT3N-AN5s_umpURRCWVCEBQ4T8WBrkMl62bKZhTSldeEneuIJFeYls-HVLasqye08E4-KZcF_ch602ZJMeag_1_xxsk7_e2_rU/s640/blogger-image--1460330507.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-35972350295486979252015-01-24T17:20:00.001-05:002015-01-24T17:20:38.527-05:00I don't wanna!In December I had a physical. I knew what the doc was going to say, but I hated hearing it. <div>"Change this and this, and do more this"</div><div><br></div><div>Not really a quote, but the reality is, in the six years I have been seeing this doctor I have gained 50 pounds. Truth is I have gained and lost that same 50 pounds several more times than 6 over those six years. </div><div><br></div><div>I have been on a trend of yo-yo dieting for years. But this time, I heard what he said as something more than that. This week I will turn 35. Not old, but not 18 either. I have had three kids and a hysterectomy. My body doesn't act the way it did when I was 20, but something had to change. 6 more years and 50 more pounds would be devastating. </div><div><br></div><div>The week following Christmas I started using the Loseit app and tracking my food intake. I did only this for the first week. This was huge in helping me realize how much I eat. </div><div><br></div><div>The second week, I started running. Now when I say run, don't think gazelle, think limping tortoise. I am by no means a runner. I enjoy the feeling of being outside, headphones in and just going nowhere. That does not mean I get there fast. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bExoMJepWgEgivjlWKnUUMKzikZ4_9wv0zoQoEWT7WRXlmPVt3inRMlNbkqHC4a2UrYNoGkJXA8kQd9Oh4p5pPNsEpDT-9mzCcyeggFFcoNOLRJVBJSwEZETLdHR2IHpd0GoZ8HACVQ/s640/blogger-image-452509863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bExoMJepWgEgivjlWKnUUMKzikZ4_9wv0zoQoEWT7WRXlmPVt3inRMlNbkqHC4a2UrYNoGkJXA8kQd9Oh4p5pPNsEpDT-9mzCcyeggFFcoNOLRJVBJSwEZETLdHR2IHpd0GoZ8HACVQ/s640/blogger-image-452509863.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>One week later Chelley very innocently sent me this Facebook post saying</div><div>Hey we are practically neighbors, when are we running together? </div><div><br></div><div>That was it. I figured she would run once with me, discover how slow I am, and then never do it again. </div><div><br></div><div>That didn't happen.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW8FAPJCsMMY-mw5gciTZsHjs85HfKjoMEykfGgKnV7SdQHQqfvTzpMhW1dRSeZ6v1iBAp7n6_G8Mv3M814ok3fvBWDCD2e8LhOakoGQEtgZBUg-fk3gjFBPQWkMlYW345K_x1gYtLr8/s640/blogger-image--1092725515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW8FAPJCsMMY-mw5gciTZsHjs85HfKjoMEykfGgKnV7SdQHQqfvTzpMhW1dRSeZ6v1iBAp7n6_G8Mv3M814ok3fvBWDCD2e8LhOakoGQEtgZBUg-fk3gjFBPQWkMlYW345K_x1gYtLr8/s640/blogger-image--1092725515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Here we are two or three weeks in and we have gone out almost every day. She definitely goes more than me, but we go together and we keep a decently fast pace. I am so grateful that she reached out, and I am so glad to have a friend that gets me. She doesn't let me quit, and she also holds me accountable. </div><div><br></div><div>So for the last few really cold days, and even today in the snow, I said "I don't wanna!!" About going outside, but the truth is, I haven't regretted a step. The conversations we have and the friendship that has blossomed are worth every cold step! I really have no excuses not to spend time with this lovely lady! Thanks Chelley! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug8A3GTFpchLU2rJe9xBFW1c4Jj4IUKsvnhPYR0nY7WOFdvz1PYTVTsLVds2Uhxrr6XhtkTqncYGblxA2-GNEM6LabAAY0G6I5UoyrAyklKL90mqF2qGwN-WyD2IGbkue4g5tuJOCdgA/s640/blogger-image--1112342765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug8A3GTFpchLU2rJe9xBFW1c4Jj4IUKsvnhPYR0nY7WOFdvz1PYTVTsLVds2Uhxrr6XhtkTqncYGblxA2-GNEM6LabAAY0G6I5UoyrAyklKL90mqF2qGwN-WyD2IGbkue4g5tuJOCdgA/s640/blogger-image--1112342765.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Support Chelley by visiting her blog </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Http://aisforadelaide.com</div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-88020781855048759852015-01-24T16:11:00.001-05:002015-01-24T16:26:24.657-05:00Week 3 - the reading spotWell, here we are, week three, and I must say, I have thought about week three all week. You see, I love to read. I am picky about what I read, but I love to read. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrkLIv6Su9ilPN_ms1Dxr9RvV3dFF9vbOmV6ZIpqQCProhaUESLXH0akiQcIIbxuwU5DyQLYItv02y2OU-ZWJsydz14ZqmVvwdYUj8ENrehvrF5RzC2juEim-99laqTmCvck1uK2qSNw/s640/blogger-image-320215521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrkLIv6Su9ilPN_ms1Dxr9RvV3dFF9vbOmV6ZIpqQCProhaUESLXH0akiQcIIbxuwU5DyQLYItv02y2OU-ZWJsydz14ZqmVvwdYUj8ENrehvrF5RzC2juEim-99laqTmCvck1uK2qSNw/s640/blogger-image-320215521.jpg"></a></div>This spot on my couch is where I have done a lot of reading. Actually on a couch I no longer own I laid and read every Harry Potter available in August of 2003 while resting during the last week of my first pregnancy. A couch is comfortable. And when the boys are sleeping and I have time, it is nice to curl up and read. </div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, this hasn't been as possible lately. </div><div><br></div><div>For my birthday this year, my husband helped me create a new reading space. He purchased this couch for me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3QKBp-bm0wPlarok9FsY4bioaeqJenyfA8Ss5pXPUnlFl-B8duFScDoGbVYJgmNZE1ZbFEuU6EGijS_-PkAE4bducyNIHznaBNMsiO4gasFMyLDO00gaNMxm70wGhvfzY6q_0LzVeWo/s640/blogger-image-1359218883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3QKBp-bm0wPlarok9FsY4bioaeqJenyfA8Ss5pXPUnlFl-B8duFScDoGbVYJgmNZE1ZbFEuU6EGijS_-PkAE4bducyNIHznaBNMsiO4gasFMyLDO00gaNMxm70wGhvfzY6q_0LzVeWo/s640/blogger-image-1359218883.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>It sits on my porch where it is too cold to sit on now. In the spring this will be where you can find me with a book or my pencils and sketchbook. When we bought this house I feel in love with the porch. Enclosed, but still "outside " it is a great retreat space for me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsqW1E6Upk0Aqp576DuNr26AlVIiWty2YAhAaJ-8SJfTtQ_lZsCBnCM3_pnHOp3__aQV0cFJuORIz_1Ut0pGH2IyBreX9u0dEP0GbxM7zTbfBeXccbMxpjGLfQRhFtKGFYq_8_ZiI7OA/s640/blogger-image-296339092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsqW1E6Upk0Aqp576DuNr26AlVIiWty2YAhAaJ-8SJfTtQ_lZsCBnCM3_pnHOp3__aQV0cFJuORIz_1Ut0pGH2IyBreX9u0dEP0GbxM7zTbfBeXccbMxpjGLfQRhFtKGFYq_8_ZiI7OA/s640/blogger-image-296339092.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This porch is now the space that I have always wanted, and the couch completes the atmosphere!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But there are two other places I read. My bed. Is a sanctuary that I can sit and rest in, and it has become one of my favorite reading places. It is quiet, and comfortable, and a place I can fall asleep while reading and not worry about what time it is! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeGw7nKxqnoK2Xy04_WZuFMjS6siA3lPiaUtHzj5PU8GdEy2r0sSRrB3NxuaZ1Vo4fc-S84IneFgGjWtwNHLaSxadKfv5zyffy-hC7nvAzlcmuZ-kYwiYMJLHRxfrav_cGOSY04qUln4/s640/blogger-image-1235429336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeGw7nKxqnoK2Xy04_WZuFMjS6siA3lPiaUtHzj5PU8GdEy2r0sSRrB3NxuaZ1Vo4fc-S84IneFgGjWtwNHLaSxadKfv5zyffy-hC7nvAzlcmuZ-kYwiYMJLHRxfrav_cGOSY04qUln4/s640/blogger-image-1235429336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And one other place is my husbands car. When we take long car rides I either watch a sappy movie on Netflix or read a good book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTwtsWMTTXuuP12TkRBYvs5gpySAgNM5jlq5yWE8zy-oO_FCmRPccMKN86oq6n12K9Nyxp74c7aQMWYjX2falfTIuvjw8BwstNfnqNKD7WT91nNLCdcFUap709nIvFIO2aTh8NHEnA6g/s640/blogger-image--762025206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTwtsWMTTXuuP12TkRBYvs5gpySAgNM5jlq5yWE8zy-oO_FCmRPccMKN86oq6n12K9Nyxp74c7aQMWYjX2falfTIuvjw8BwstNfnqNKD7WT91nNLCdcFUap709nIvFIO2aTh8NHEnA6g/s640/blogger-image--762025206.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now not all of my books are paper. This device has been a source of many great books:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R03_feRQoybDF_tow_m8A2SkAmSGHrNFuKOOpgoMxE9E-9FjFyAO1n13FNKol6Xh1vUBhyphenhyphenISq9_tx4Wx_F1p4MxkLKyHXrlpn1nR0g4i9bB3b6A8fQ1exZXR7fmahMM4HGUupiPvyIk/s640/blogger-image-2077309403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R03_feRQoybDF_tow_m8A2SkAmSGHrNFuKOOpgoMxE9E-9FjFyAO1n13FNKol6Xh1vUBhyphenhyphenISq9_tx4Wx_F1p4MxkLKyHXrlpn1nR0g4i9bB3b6A8fQ1exZXR7fmahMM4HGUupiPvyIk/s640/blogger-image-2077309403.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>This is my iPad (I think iPad 2?) with the kindle app. Best way to carry many books! I love that I can switch from phone to iPad and keep my place! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But my reading isn't just for me. It has grown to my children. I could spend hours at Barnes and Noble. They could spent days. My physical books are one shelf, theirs are more like 10! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And their favorite place to read? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GPlrC_JhcitctYJEWylzmn7s7gnWk_61UAilvgDdwYJ-XcA-vDrIsvzqSXmknNTdR5Yn5lwVOPgfyIQXOGtm5pSs820I1Ej4nBo1QQVrjLccYJF1chJHORnLUeF4cOtC_UmJCyXPhfs/s640/blogger-image--295772011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GPlrC_JhcitctYJEWylzmn7s7gnWk_61UAilvgDdwYJ-XcA-vDrIsvzqSXmknNTdR5Yn5lwVOPgfyIQXOGtm5pSs820I1Ej4nBo1QQVrjLccYJF1chJHORnLUeF4cOtC_UmJCyXPhfs/s640/blogger-image--295772011.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And in the car! Just like their mother! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And when my children's worst clutter is this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5xj0pwY5mQS_yo-k383EbRFxIGZPTq_Lv1DdPmEZn0xEJMFruoR5O2vH2XevAN2kRkAxXq5y565nZJYiyzgdZnwVz7ZInHPEmxkEy3mNam_BJ4XYi8b8y5k6RdjOBaKDLamyGkXNVHk/s640/blogger-image-1126325329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5xj0pwY5mQS_yo-k383EbRFxIGZPTq_Lv1DdPmEZn0xEJMFruoR5O2vH2XevAN2kRkAxXq5y565nZJYiyzgdZnwVz7ZInHPEmxkEy3mNam_BJ4XYi8b8y5k6RdjOBaKDLamyGkXNVHk/s640/blogger-image-1126325329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSc5icZjDHYP37mAy_DaLU9oMZhW9Bz-jmo6vrx-h6RkODOia7HVOUcPGpFVQx6JTDP-_z5CXJaUz2izK9URxxxTtXPoybVuIq2ypjwS10MhQ6PUrJbusPNso1gN-tppq5mcumwXr0G4/s640/blogger-image--831664840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSc5icZjDHYP37mAy_DaLU9oMZhW9Bz-jmo6vrx-h6RkODOia7HVOUcPGpFVQx6JTDP-_z5CXJaUz2izK9URxxxTtXPoybVuIq2ypjwS10MhQ6PUrJbusPNso1gN-tppq5mcumwXr0G4/s640/blogger-image--831664840.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH23I_rGtKvf8OYzmsPviMYLIUq2TOUw92G7kLl956tkorSoxekEqO4hyE48YRs-bCtMhZsbRphtHkXVuErIvNBoIgXFOWGAI3lxL0faNrvj1CvOf37YybGfa-uxTyN7f1xz41v-ufDu8/s640/blogger-image-1390701171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH23I_rGtKvf8OYzmsPviMYLIUq2TOUw92G7kLl956tkorSoxekEqO4hyE48YRs-bCtMhZsbRphtHkXVuErIvNBoIgXFOWGAI3lxL0faNrvj1CvOf37YybGfa-uxTyN7f1xz41v-ufDu8/s640/blogger-image-1390701171.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7weDxPt61nzYjbwGmNitTTjWyitYIw61Gre2QUw0GZKp3KDNTQYILgsotaZsQmfZgVrad_c060t4OeJVx8OUgu8Cuc7tGcFNdlHlpr7ueIesrfP0NCu3hRBFnEygABjfFAz1dPU_5W1A/s640/blogger-image-328338474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7weDxPt61nzYjbwGmNitTTjWyitYIw61Gre2QUw0GZKp3KDNTQYILgsotaZsQmfZgVrad_c060t4OeJVx8OUgu8Cuc7tGcFNdlHlpr7ueIesrfP0NCu3hRBFnEygABjfFAz1dPU_5W1A/s640/blogger-image-328338474.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You know you have made an influence as a parent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And to see Aaron at six have a collection like this he can read, I know they will have no problem succeeding because they love their books! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLflkxE4zrNgQagXptrhsILk4jOpQXwPdcEANgr1XEg5NUJCIC7sshmURyTp_Q5v8KETJuQLkHYLP_W1HAQNyPITJGTpTmJ4_GR2Cu90Cw3thHtWJv_BxEHy6UbatrwjGhdH5D5FtXrr8/s640/blogger-image--1245226946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLflkxE4zrNgQagXptrhsILk4jOpQXwPdcEANgr1XEg5NUJCIC7sshmURyTp_Q5v8KETJuQLkHYLP_W1HAQNyPITJGTpTmJ4_GR2Cu90Cw3thHtWJv_BxEHy6UbatrwjGhdH5D5FtXrr8/s640/blogger-image--1245226946.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am so grateful that my children have found places that work for them to read, and I am glad that they love the adventures a book can take them on! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Off to crack open a new book! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~Melendy</div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For more about the #52weekchallenge go visit my friend Chelley here: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">http://aisforadelaide.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And watch here for more every week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Photo credit to Chelley for this, but captured on my iPhone.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzpKd49GzkBg-R1LT-Zh3CqyYrXIbm42EB1wyJ8CBpJRRoYyWPVqVqJimyoA1QSSBI9gQSHDTpj1TAzA0N6XE3I7rg9xnAfcuuaJlHV1VPLHVrvChO2NELcZqIvy3IhzhmU8KTLQFjXY/s640/blogger-image--2071400872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzpKd49GzkBg-R1LT-Zh3CqyYrXIbm42EB1wyJ8CBpJRRoYyWPVqVqJimyoA1QSSBI9gQSHDTpj1TAzA0N6XE3I7rg9xnAfcuuaJlHV1VPLHVrvChO2NELcZqIvy3IhzhmU8KTLQFjXY/s640/blogger-image--2071400872.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079669112991620340.post-35950256529093958052015-01-16T19:23:00.001-05:002015-01-18T18:16:15.930-05:00Week 2 - Marriage<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH4A1ereTKmW6RN8B8kQ6lI5JGFzApo9OyDQpJNry3NBtGIl8-9edR9zgezDrnvB9PF5OBVwrrrBjHRk9MvVCpuv4hE8qUNWjT0ly8ZC1Gt0mQGVsZLYFqHJB0O68b5yz7watFalm5UE/s640/blogger-image--328558839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH4A1ereTKmW6RN8B8kQ6lI5JGFzApo9OyDQpJNry3NBtGIl8-9edR9zgezDrnvB9PF5OBVwrrrBjHRk9MvVCpuv4hE8qUNWjT0ly8ZC1Gt0mQGVsZLYFqHJB0O68b5yz7watFalm5UE/s640/blogger-image--328558839.jpg"></a></div>I write a lot here about the boys, but I don't think I often share about Stephen or myself. So here I go in response to the 52 week challenge as week 2 is "relationships" and I am choosing my marriage.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv1s4T36EStdRlIQdT88VY5INKoC57PPkgoGnl09dy5H_1YM6kSdjxfSZAUmvWRLZc5V_5obG_Gvy5puOqC8GqXntTI6lTDLnRGZEMs8D4nlrD8_LNOmw3-0xrCSqiRVUfoxxv-xtJuQ/s640/blogger-image--2084332189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv1s4T36EStdRlIQdT88VY5INKoC57PPkgoGnl09dy5H_1YM6kSdjxfSZAUmvWRLZc5V_5obG_Gvy5puOqC8GqXntTI6lTDLnRGZEMs8D4nlrD8_LNOmw3-0xrCSqiRVUfoxxv-xtJuQ/s640/blogger-image--2084332189.jpg"></a></div>Steve and I started talking to each other in February of 1998. Our first official date was June 22, 1998, and it wasn't an ordinary date. We lost a mutual friend to tragedy, and had agreed to that night for a date before this tragedy. We went to her wake, and then headed to see a movie. At that wake, I fell for him. As I cried, he placed his arm around my shoulder and kissed my forehead gently. Apparently that was all it took! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LxNRX59i6G7nPrqI59P7fsIkkRbb36_QUhMQQ09Kt0SYagX8gFeiDDIIlODhlWTZF0ETeDr4PKDj7q4R6_rhIUNwJnuxmKTcKEyRclKfbZAa-k6t4h8aGOauvLTGpnPdhV8d04C5mCo/s640/blogger-image--270865116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LxNRX59i6G7nPrqI59P7fsIkkRbb36_QUhMQQ09Kt0SYagX8gFeiDDIIlODhlWTZF0ETeDr4PKDj7q4R6_rhIUNwJnuxmKTcKEyRclKfbZAa-k6t4h8aGOauvLTGpnPdhV8d04C5mCo/s640/blogger-image--270865116.jpg"></a></div>We were "boyfriend and girlfriend" for several years. It was never perfect, and at times it seemed as though it wouldn't work. We were at a place where faith was not a friend to either of us, and we spent our days picking each other apart instead of building each other up. And once again someone else's tragedy changed our course. Steve tells it that on September 11, 2001 he realized that life could end in a moment, and he didn't want to wait to ask me and possibly lose me. So on October 13, 2001 he proposed, at a lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island where we often went to go hiking. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt1MJzFjJHP-AIbGeQtDNz3Eiwuhg0G5vCEqlgp-zg6eUeZO48L_Ck8j_QKY8-P3EbPiJFXMig64V5pXbfhaRtni4OdL5rrMBB03DGBIQOS4P6_kHhCB1HKZIMQds26gED1_lK6UT3Xs/s640/blogger-image--741507869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt1MJzFjJHP-AIbGeQtDNz3Eiwuhg0G5vCEqlgp-zg6eUeZO48L_Ck8j_QKY8-P3EbPiJFXMig64V5pXbfhaRtni4OdL5rrMBB03DGBIQOS4P6_kHhCB1HKZIMQds26gED1_lK6UT3Xs/s640/blogger-image--741507869.jpg"></a></div>A year later we were married on November 16, 2002. </div><div><br></div><div>The rest as they say, is History. But I am not so sure you believe that is all there was. Steve and I have faced trials, health issues, family "drama", losing of jobs, loss of health care right before a child was born, and at times uncertainty if we were even willing to be a team anymore. </div><div><br></div><div>All of this created something between us that for me, is wonderful. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWUIAjlnmLWsGN-jP4-pTOvj0fiEebBJ8jCDndlMWthmV5oLX6AK2DP2jRoEvZDm31qBgSE9c94R456oXHXahgFLtYBUtwOyAas7ZkGa2HImnrKx4AYDoFxBhyphenhyphenAqsq3-5W_wnH729LC8/s640/blogger-image-182563024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWUIAjlnmLWsGN-jP4-pTOvj0fiEebBJ8jCDndlMWthmV5oLX6AK2DP2jRoEvZDm31qBgSE9c94R456oXHXahgFLtYBUtwOyAas7ZkGa2HImnrKx4AYDoFxBhyphenhyphenAqsq3-5W_wnH729LC8/s640/blogger-image-182563024.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We discovered we spent more time talking at each other and not to each other. We had conversations, but we didn't listen. We were two parallel roads never intersecting. </div><div><br></div><div>We learned in our darkest place that we loved each other, and needed each other. Our children needed us to find a way to merge lanes and be on the same road. </div><div><br></div><div>Ever since then we have found a way to communicate that is amazing. We talk, not about our day or any non sense. We talk about our family, where we are, where we want to be, what we need, what we want, and the we gameplan together to make it work. </div><div><br></div><div>We aren't perfect. No couple is. We still need work. We have committed to each other, to our love, and we have discovered we can do many things when we work together and remember we don't do it for us, or even our boys, but to be beacons of Gods love in this world.</div><div><br></div><div>When I think of my husband, I think of the unconditional love he has for me, that I try every day to repay. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWz7FTdFAOFTXQr3dW4vVGZRHU8oMfwmTDNwAZYiOZqT7-ABaOYSjf4Uf1-tLZkdjY_2ZkSCRTL2ox2H_PuJyGxv_eUYPkAmarnknsMcDfI3vyWy-wFkEuAVnM44YUzkdJGM-zG62ifk/s640/blogger-image-1933816923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWz7FTdFAOFTXQr3dW4vVGZRHU8oMfwmTDNwAZYiOZqT7-ABaOYSjf4Uf1-tLZkdjY_2ZkSCRTL2ox2H_PuJyGxv_eUYPkAmarnknsMcDfI3vyWy-wFkEuAVnM44YUzkdJGM-zG62ifk/s640/blogger-image-1933816923.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Melendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165335656176924432noreply@blogger.com1