tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70314076505616102332024-03-01T23:36:13.818-08:00Sewing Our Life TogetherCreating our life one "stitch" at a time Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-90195941434761771962013-08-12T08:30:00.000-07:002013-08-12T08:30:24.140-07:00Good bye blog <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a quick, last post to say goodbye. I have LOVED my blogging experience and treasure the friendships I have made over the past couple of years. Thank you all! But, I've done some inward reflection over the weekend and I realize that I'm blogging for the wrong reason. This is embarrassing to admit, but honestly, I blog to persuade others, and myself, that I'm awesome. That I'm more than the mistakes I've made, that I'm more than a clueless young mom, that I- a Mormom- believe in and accept Jesus Christ as my savior, and that because of this belief I am filled with hope and therefore cannot pause to be sad, or scared, or missing my mom (which I often am and do!) With every post I type, I feel like I'm persuading people (friends, family, and even strangers) that I have it all together. I feel like I am arguing my beliefs and justifying my parenting and trying to be more talented than I really am. It's ridiculous! This passive aggressive approach to relationships with everyone is delusional and self destructive! I'm so concerned with trying to be great that I am always tearing myself down and often don't let me just be <i>me</i>. Slowly, without me even knowing it, I've set exhausting expectations for myself and I'm ready to let them go. If this quote rings true (and I apologize for not knowing who originally said it) then I'm ready to be silent. Silent and happy and content, with my focus on my children and my husband and a heart guided quietly by my loving Lord. <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONFIDENCE</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">is silent</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">INSECURITIES</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">are loud</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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It's like what Oz learned at the end of the film <u>Oz Great and Powerful</u>, there is something even better than greatness: goodness. Fixing my priorities starting today. So, good bye friends! </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-55551027899731772862013-08-10T18:27:00.001-07:002013-08-10T18:27:29.518-07:00Jesus Christ Created the World for Me<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tx3FtFgsOoT1ql3isyh4gcv7n5yNtl_Iw6oM4EvopbAN7dQ7_aL7NbKdAuzii8V2D0oFMbRT4iZABeBRmg50AC7NNm8HTww8Hp_gdBKxT4TnoC7wDLuJOJehmTkOkUQGUU-T0nPrx6He/s1600/WP_20130806_001+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tx3FtFgsOoT1ql3isyh4gcv7n5yNtl_Iw6oM4EvopbAN7dQ7_aL7NbKdAuzii8V2D0oFMbRT4iZABeBRmg50AC7NNm8HTww8Hp_gdBKxT4TnoC7wDLuJOJehmTkOkUQGUU-T0nPrx6He/s1600/WP_20130806_001+%25282%2529.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We were having a really rough week. We all had colds and baby brother was the sickest.
I was exhausted from being sick myself, from taking care of sick children, and only getting a few hours of sleep each night. To say I was feeling overwhelmed would be an understatement. Just when I thought things couldn't
possibly get worse, the exterminator showed up (our apartment has a terrible spider problem). His presence didn't make things worse, what he told us did: We needed to leave for at <i>least </i>an
hour because the chemicals weren't safe for the children. The sky was grey, we were still in our pajamas, my sinuses hurt, my husband had our only car with him at work... Where could we go? What could we do? I burst
into tears and got the kids ready for a long walk... and it started to rain. Discouraged and defeated, I set out with my two babies prepared to suffer through a long, weepy hour.
But, do
you know what happened? The motion of the stroller lulled our sweet baby
to sleep- his first restful sleep in days, and without me having to hold his heavy little self.
The rain gave way to a mist and the grey clouds blocked what would have
been a sweltering glare from the sun. While we walked, my ever curious
toddler pointed out the bunnies, the rocks, the stream, the sounds of
birds and insects; everything around her fascinated her! The wonderment in her voice refocused me and I looked up to the heavens with a thankful heart. I started speaking out loud as if to tell my daughter that those bunnies, those rocks, that stream, those incredible chirping, buzzing sounds were made by God- because He loves us, but the words were really for my own benefit. For the first time in a long time I saw the world through wondering eyes in all it's beauty, with all it's mystery and I felt such balance and such joy! I felt so blessed to have this safe and lovely walking path available to us; so blessed to breathe in fresh air and enjoy the vivid colors of the world around us. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkNmebtmRrN1FN-0mdj_Pktv7jkBY8_IJxZGxQo5iQNk99xky3gs5PLCJ-j-yBzIv3tCcoBh8YUWANvousSQwOCYFlADfTaQRI67uq6_XJ2NcI1G5pwG1wim5GevwwgpGaEEIZ2VFo3Mr/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkNmebtmRrN1FN-0mdj_Pktv7jkBY8_IJxZGxQo5iQNk99xky3gs5PLCJ-j-yBzIv3tCcoBh8YUWANvousSQwOCYFlADfTaQRI67uq6_XJ2NcI1G5pwG1wim5GevwwgpGaEEIZ2VFo3Mr/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" height="640" width="598" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This experience goes so well with the lesson we were focusing on this week! I'm really grateful that we had this lesson on our minds, otherwise I may not have realized how great a world I am a part of and could have gone without the comfort I felt from acknowledging Gods creation this week. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The <i>Bringing our Children Unto Christ</i> series continues: </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We pray together and we learn of Him.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I do not claim these lessons as my own, but I can testify of their goodness. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Studying these truths together as a family has brought us all closer together, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and closer to our loving Heavenly Father. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The atmosphere in our home when we start our day with a nursery lesson is one of peace and love.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson seven is:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jesus Christ Created the World for Me</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How we learned about this, this week:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Sing about it:</b> </span><i><span class="crossRef">My Heavenly Father Loves Me</span></i> (Music and lyrics here: <a href="http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/my-heavenly-father-loves-me?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span class="emphasis">Children’s Songbook</span></a> </div>
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Whenever I hear the song of a bird<span class="emphasis"></span></div>
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Or look at the blue, blue sky,<span class="emphasis"></span></div>
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Whenever I feel the rain on my face<span class="emphasis"> </span></div>
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Or the wind as it rushes by, </div>
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Whenever I touch a velvet rose <span class="emphasis"></span></div>
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Or walk by our lilac tree,<span class="emphasis"></span></div>
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I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world <span class="emphasis"></span></div>
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<b>Heavenly Father created for me.<span class="emphasis"></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Read about it:</b> </span><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/1.1?lang=eng#0">Genesis 1:1, </a><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/2.1?lang=eng#0">Moses 2:1, </a><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/6.63?lang=eng#62">Moses 6:63</a>, <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/3.24-25?lang=eng#23">Abraham 3:24–25</a> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Personalize it:</b> Inspired by a suggestion in the nursery lesson, we created a book together this week. It is a 5 page book. Each page had a simple image of something God created and that our daughter is really interested in right now. She loves stars, animals, trees... Our daughter colored the pictures, one page each day, while baby brother looked on. Soon he'll be old enough to join in! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here: <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-7-jesus-christ-created-the-world-for-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a></span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-17687562920991809782013-08-09T13:16:00.000-07:002013-08-09T13:16:17.359-07:00Heal an ear infection, naturally!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Little girl got sick and gave her germs to daddy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">who passed them on to mom and baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess the family that shares together... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">suffers together? Not any more! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW12YFTJ1TXsFLTfquZFytHTHWg3DvmATTbfru9TDzmTwBdnIaW7AN_-CYU_ni5Ljgon1n_2XzLwDA0LldnXzIKwnZGUr5PFnMMKyAlU3XWNRrXCS8yHLz1QO0WbHmCja8l699jAEbl6qC/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW12YFTJ1TXsFLTfquZFytHTHWg3DvmATTbfru9TDzmTwBdnIaW7AN_-CYU_ni5Ljgon1n_2XzLwDA0LldnXzIKwnZGUr5PFnMMKyAlU3XWNRrXCS8yHLz1QO0WbHmCja8l699jAEbl6qC/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I never want to catch a cold, suffer a sinus infection, or endure a fever without doTERRA essential oils again! We all battled those awful symptoms this week, but poor baby boy had it the worst of all of us. Our little nine month old screamed all day and all night. It wasn't until after fervent prayer that my husband caught on and suggested the poor dear had an ear infection! Of course! Babies are so susceptible to those and he was tugging on his little ears so miserably! I frantically called neighbors for doctor recommendations, and called members from our church to help drive us as our only car was in the shop- but we didn't even have our car seats, so never mind that idea. And just when the whole situation seemed too much to bare I decided to give my essential oils (EOs) a try. Following the advice of EO experts, I applied melaleuca and lavender to his ears. Within 5 minutes his desperate screams gave way to happy smiles! The first smiles we'd seen in three days! I did the treatment twice that first day, and once the second day and he's been fine ever since! What a blessing doTERRA is to our family! The funny thing is now whenever this cutie pie sees a cotton ball his eyes kind of glaze over all hypnotized like and he leans in to run his head and face on the little white poof. Kids are smart! He knows what makes him feel better. :)<br />
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By clicking on the above image, you can view it larger.<br />
Send me a message if you'd like to learn more about doTERRA,<br />
and how it is literally changing lives every day!<br />
<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-35025970295815282762013-08-04T08:27:00.000-07:002013-08-04T08:27:04.328-07:00Another Used- to- be- Maternity Skirt<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's a little number that went from this:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wACBZSVqnrFzVil57yyKC9l6NIQEsEEgDPzFPmpVzESkIfZLHzzo_uair7yaAwaUnuBdAXVZuEVepsgku7PFKHuccGkRllJ3mCmp-00MU_wTg0Cz2qC7qXY1g4mLuGPoNKCT5ygD-_nr/s1600/circle+skirt+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wACBZSVqnrFzVil57yyKC9l6NIQEsEEgDPzFPmpVzESkIfZLHzzo_uair7yaAwaUnuBdAXVZuEVepsgku7PFKHuccGkRllJ3mCmp-00MU_wTg0Cz2qC7qXY1g4mLuGPoNKCT5ygD-_nr/s320/circle+skirt+004.JPG" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maternity Friendly Circle Skirt; Tutorial [<a href="http://sewingourlifetogether.blogspot.com/2012/10/circle-skirt-tutorial-maternity-friendly.html" target="_blank">here</a>.]</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to this: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4SsVDSWqRpD2maj5t97BLKx80Q8k_RF2gEQBwYlBIK4Xb4ldTJLy1QWZrEyHZ0Ok7WNn7q3RjoxHLZyB3hqMWTjSXK2hnaiGwsQJA4rStjElxQonJEcGZIPDbdJ_ALGmzHthKjOmygNR/s1600/DSC_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4SsVDSWqRpD2maj5t97BLKx80Q8k_RF2gEQBwYlBIK4Xb4ldTJLy1QWZrEyHZ0Ok7WNn7q3RjoxHLZyB3hqMWTjSXK2hnaiGwsQJA4rStjElxQonJEcGZIPDbdJ_ALGmzHthKjOmygNR/s400/DSC_0577.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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I started by removing the maternity waist band and opening up the side seam. I basically cut a panel out of this circle skirt to make a smaller, less full circle. I needed to add a zipper and finish off the top but was able to leave the original hem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bWEKEU101QOjhkbNkdGVn-jblIc1WdUmzUg5ipr4MV5msDsQUzDFogIuecXINvcMX1Lcm5doul167eG2VdYxEuNvnTeqxnT8nb5RPL2maOuoCC1oezQn5NI0cJteGEi2sPdvPMkL_wO/s1600/DSC_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bWEKEU101QOjhkbNkdGVn-jblIc1WdUmzUg5ipr4MV5msDsQUzDFogIuecXINvcMX1Lcm5doul167eG2VdYxEuNvnTeqxnT8nb5RPL2maOuoCC1oezQn5NI0cJteGEi2sPdvPMkL_wO/s400/DSC_0570.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80sYEM5S1iQEOXQgAtZiKsAgujr6NpaOhXeldoNRyoWepTFWMHP6uu8rTZAUBab4vRcRsk4uUGj1aI68VdMAi12BIgSr74eLncDnqgOe9NSwXMg3A5YWTD02DFMhUieIS9bLiPW2zAiTx/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80sYEM5S1iQEOXQgAtZiKsAgujr6NpaOhXeldoNRyoWepTFWMHP6uu8rTZAUBab4vRcRsk4uUGj1aI68VdMAi12BIgSr74eLncDnqgOe9NSwXMg3A5YWTD02DFMhUieIS9bLiPW2zAiTx/s400/DSC_0578.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-72357884015708221622013-08-02T08:54:00.001-07:002013-08-02T11:35:53.976-07:00Becoming Who I Want to Be<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/AVvXsEgYs-l70vcvOMDk9QQRtwDRCrEd49yaqs-C03iyiVc6pzQUScUDkHqhI27mmNAy_Jk8orsXXoxzJyAeMqR_iE5DDjN83ICT716X9pOHs1Fi8kQg325nAa8FLlNX4lV9HQ_4iz4M9I08W3xP/s1600/03180e5a8f03dfd20387d3b79921b4af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs-l70vcvOMDk9QQRtwDRCrEd49yaqs-C03iyiVc6pzQUScUDkHqhI27mmNAy_Jk8orsXXoxzJyAeMqR_iE5DDjN83ICT716X9pOHs1Fi8kQg325nAa8FLlNX4lV9HQ_4iz4M9I08W3xP/s1600/03180e5a8f03dfd20387d3b79921b4af.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Original Source Unknown</u></td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">I love my kids because they love me even when I stay in my pajamas ALL day. I love my husband because he loves me even when he comes home to a messy apartment and a cold dinner, despite my best efforts. I love that the soundtrack playing on repeat in my mind all day includes <i>Wheels on the Bus</i> and the <i>Itsy Bitsy Spider</i>. I love that I become a jungle gym every time I flop down on the floor to relax, that I always have a spit up spot (or two) on my right shoulder, and that my toe nail polish is always selected by my two year old. I love it all, I really do. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">But, sometimes I remember the old me. Not because I'm not happy with the current me! I love my life! I'm just saying that sometimes I remember that girl that actually got 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. The girl that wore the cute shoes and fake eye lashes. The girl that liked to travel the world and socialize. And, sometimes I wonder about the future me. Will I reconnect with who I was? Will I somehow disappear into the piles of laundry and little league/ dance recital audiences? Have I just put myself on hold for the next 18 ish years, and will I try to pick up where I left off when the kids have grown? I don't really think the stilettos and glitter of my twenty year old self will have the same affect on the 38 year old, saggier, more maternal me... Will I be best friends with my husband? Or will he have grown and accomplished so much in his corporate world career, while I stayed at home forming play doh, that we won't even have anything to talk about? </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">You know who I'd like to be in the future? I'd like to be just like </span><span class="userContent"><span class="st">Leigh Anne Tuohy</span> as represented by Sandra Bullock in the movie <u>The Blindside</u>. Fit, beautiful, professional, involved mother, happily married, and not ignorant to those in need of a little family love. I'd like the future me to have been there, at home, for my children while still having set an example to them in such things as forming friendships, achieving goals, continually learning and enjoying life. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">So, I started something new. I didn't give it a lot of thought. An opportunity presented itself, I got the 'go- ahead' from my always supportive husband, and I jumped. I took that leap of faith. It may not have been the best time. (Waiting to close on a house is generally not the right time for any sort of additional investment.) But, if not now- then when? Is there ever actually a wrong time to start being who we want to be? I know that my efforts to learn, share and inspire through doTERRA will spark new friendships and opportunities to socialize, maybe even give me a reason to bust out those cute shoes again. Maybe what it comes down to is having a reason to hold myself to a higher standard than the all day pajama mama! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxmN7V81tWIfrUeWMtQecXnxYOcLdU7t0pxKABHqRUiwqjiw5uODHoX9_KfY6kgKNhl-otQg2KmBsi1dcrgVQ2XdkBSLCGKPqTOP1iHhatP49kcaaRTlrMhQulLGDWyhcQcb5dlOVuJ9A/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxmN7V81tWIfrUeWMtQecXnxYOcLdU7t0pxKABHqRUiwqjiw5uODHoX9_KfY6kgKNhl-otQg2KmBsi1dcrgVQ2XdkBSLCGKPqTOP1iHhatP49kcaaRTlrMhQulLGDWyhcQcb5dlOVuJ9A/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">I am first and foremost a mom. Nothing is more important than raising the next generation. I am now <i>also </i>an Independent Product Consultant for the company doTERRA. Last week I learned about the company and products during nap times and became doTERRA University Certified! Ok, it's seriously not a big deal; just a matter of completing a few online quizzes, but I'm not going to
lie: It feels good to have accomplished something that came with a
certificate! I am hopeful that this new journey will include many more accomplishments down the road. In the meantime, I am so excited to be part of this life changing company and I love how
my family is already benefiting from doTERRA essential oils! </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">If you are looking for an opportunity to enrich the lives of your family members through natural, pure products used in holistic health care, cleaning and spa products- and/ or if you are looking for an opportunity to make friends, work your own hours, determine your own goals and expectations, and even bring in some additional income, then this company is probably perfect for you, too! Find out more by visiting <a href="http://mydoterra.com/jessicamyers">mydoterra.com/jessicamyers</a> or even easier, send me an e-mail! doterraipc.jessica@gmail.com</span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-11449798333871677312013-07-31T05:02:00.003-07:002013-07-31T07:17:41.505-07:00Facing Her FearsAlthough we can't see it for all the trees, we do live right off a highway and it is noisy! We are constantly hearing sirens sound their hurried, "wee-woo, wee- woo" calls as they drive by. It is very fitting then that our daughter, age 2, has nicknamed all emergency vehicles, <i>wee-woos</i>. Baby has a shirt with a fire engine on it, and bibs with fire engines and police cars; our daughter calls them his <i>wee-woo</i> clothes. She points out emergency vehicles everywhere we go and when we hear them at home she runs to the window and calls out, "Wee-woo! Where are you? Come here- wee-woo!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmdiD2gmTzn8CP1q52q06-OxbbZgni2Xl59rDK1zWUcfNfKj3f7jhyRmtkoSUIOaXCeXcSg_i-WR4fIRrecMO4hUiLAgjD5dgsT9WB9d-VKtHxh-UeQSHxCPIu-cl6ZjxDX9F6gmt7MPh/s1600/DSC_0420+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmdiD2gmTzn8CP1q52q06-OxbbZgni2Xl59rDK1zWUcfNfKj3f7jhyRmtkoSUIOaXCeXcSg_i-WR4fIRrecMO4hUiLAgjD5dgsT9WB9d-VKtHxh-UeQSHxCPIu-cl6ZjxDX9F6gmt7MPh/s1600/DSC_0420+-+Copy.JPG" width="213" /></a>Last week, a friend from church organized a play date at the local fire station; I just knew we had to attend! There was quite a crowd of moms and children who showed up to tour the building and admire the vehicles. The crowd, the firemen gear, and those huge trucks and ambulances made our daughter extremely nervous. Mostly, she stood by me wide eyed and shaking. I'm learning not to push our introverted daughter into new circumstances, so I let her hang back and take it all in but gave her opportunities to explore by asking her questions about the inside of the trucks or about all their gear. She was clearly terrified and fascinated at the same time.<br />
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Afraid that my daughter would burst into tears when the trucks pulled out of the station and sounded their sirens, I scooped her up ready to distract and comfort her. (Can I just get a nod here for my super mom strength holding 50+ pounds between my two kids in that hot, humid garage. Honestly, they're giving medals to all the wrong people... Well, maybe not. I am grateful to the men and women who work to save our lives...) Anyway, the huge garage doors went up, little girl kept shaking. The fire truck pulled out, tears shown in her eyes. And then those lights flashed and the loud sirens wailed, and do you know what she did? She leaned forward in my arms toward those big, scary trucks and she roared! Yes, she roared like a lion at that truck and when she turned to face me she was wearing a big ol' grin! As the truck disappeared down the street, she called out, "Go that way, wee-woo!" Then, she stuck her tongue between her lips and blew a slobbery raspberry in its direction. Fears conquered.<br />
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*Thank you so much, friend, for putting this play date together for us! Thank you Dear Husband, for finding a ride to work that morning so we could have the car and attend the fire station tour. And thanks to the awesome firemen who did a really great job engaging the kiddos and showing off all the cool features!<br />
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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/AVvXsEh4ViHlOeyGOW6KxHp61FXBPNpr8zIVCL9u7UI3ZBSgqqTgxeMkTJSDzMYeGqN_ciAXdpaXJEolCPNyDxe2CSrJY8wajiko2AVHqztyPoNjl0VrCxNfrBRw2-hW9-R0pJQhogixQ9iwgleC/s1600/WP_20130726_002+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ViHlOeyGOW6KxHp61FXBPNpr8zIVCL9u7UI3ZBSgqqTgxeMkTJSDzMYeGqN_ciAXdpaXJEolCPNyDxe2CSrJY8wajiko2AVHqztyPoNjl0VrCxNfrBRw2-hW9-R0pJQhogixQ9iwgleC/s1600/WP_20130726_002+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a classic fire engine that was actually used in our town back in the day!</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgwIvTgMQP7UrLnZBHMW9NeYStlTtW_7A4oX1jb7nQFIqS_K9AtKN6Fo8z1bPMFvETLloZ3qabf2nEhSu6jDQBHZuGKZTUnRqH62wKKyMC4-W5d3eN9hwX0vNWuP7kpMus6Y8hU-Vpawmkt/s1600/WP_20130726_006+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIvTgMQP7UrLnZBHMW9NeYStlTtW_7A4oX1jb7nQFIqS_K9AtKN6Fo8z1bPMFvETLloZ3qabf2nEhSu6jDQBHZuGKZTUnRqH62wKKyMC4-W5d3eN9hwX0vNWuP7kpMus6Y8hU-Vpawmkt/s1600/WP_20130726_006+(2).jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of checking out the ambulance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86yNh5uEupQGWV4PAaD0I6ZLWT9x7gMLDZ0TdFy9djjMeYnNteqVIyRvvc-7M2WHMjKkG-lEv1jddKnRMdbrIbt-iHhvgQwDblaN4gzQJ4fmQcNF5EF-xwfCYuvxG8tcc0LR9TJJu9niH/s1600/WP_20130726_009+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86yNh5uEupQGWV4PAaD0I6ZLWT9x7gMLDZ0TdFy9djjMeYnNteqVIyRvvc-7M2WHMjKkG-lEv1jddKnRMdbrIbt-iHhvgQwDblaN4gzQJ4fmQcNF5EF-xwfCYuvxG8tcc0LR9TJJu9niH/s1600/WP_20130726_009+(2).jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interested, but hanging back for the fire truck presentation.</td></tr>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-63795379447906513422013-07-28T17:44:00.002-07:002013-07-30T09:42:27.556-07:00Polka Dot (No-Longer-Maternity) Skirt<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1g4JbgyS7Rg5Fr8fuvhk1tzJ05Z-mDQ4h99Cf8ZLHEGlt5KTeADCTjvu6quJNGLG_ZrDrmJUiLYO4hbVdSc_QtG7WfNuNuiuMEu6ztyXfbB5dIAdAmWL2Iv_z2QlT_djBBNhhD4LqWgq/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1g4JbgyS7Rg5Fr8fuvhk1tzJ05Z-mDQ4h99Cf8ZLHEGlt5KTeADCTjvu6quJNGLG_ZrDrmJUiLYO4hbVdSc_QtG7WfNuNuiuMEu6ztyXfbB5dIAdAmWL2Iv_z2QlT_djBBNhhD4LqWgq/s640/DSC_0556.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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I've decided to demote some of my maternity skirts to the regular, not so pregnant type.</div>
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Skirt number one, my <a href="http://sewingourlifetogether.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-maternity-friendly-bubble-skirt.html" target="_blank">polka dot bubble skirt</a>, became an A-line skirt with front ties. </div>
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<i>Then... </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62p4DaXC6nRRei1XcZDuN_o6xtYv_-eaMzQv_iglHctVj9QQX3HjeAPtkJmStdBXh_crm4A46tNbBBEeyYe3w4xSsi1vyRTqg9piTFvZy8EAlqXETjPTG3ZYGf7C2dILq64wdjd6pyIoV/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62p4DaXC6nRRei1XcZDuN_o6xtYv_-eaMzQv_iglHctVj9QQX3HjeAPtkJmStdBXh_crm4A46tNbBBEeyYe3w4xSsi1vyRTqg9piTFvZy8EAlqXETjPTG3ZYGf7C2dILq64wdjd6pyIoV/s400/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Now!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJHqKB6ZCXNI3JsagqdtBSEsRyBlIR2yJxc3wfy44MCo6TQBMfkhTFSVSq28pUoC0Ql5wTN7lS7K7fdcOkiINacaCb75OcUk60esKzZ1cxScW9aVfQ0WMokQJx1lgXlRSoJREZ7OoFPFT/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJHqKB6ZCXNI3JsagqdtBSEsRyBlIR2yJxc3wfy44MCo6TQBMfkhTFSVSq28pUoC0Ql5wTN7lS7K7fdcOkiINacaCb75OcUk60esKzZ1cxScW9aVfQ0WMokQJx1lgXlRSoJREZ7OoFPFT/s400/DSC_0555.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Voila! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7RVpdgBmSMCY-KXdnHpHQ0kOXKRYiwDmr1IJixDwmpAUWoh0O-cHb2DbRrOyIpWNIwe5fvAFwJ65xk8M3Xn7sAZuOH27WLJSEpO6z8k9DfrbVyVhUqOcrsNpi2zI0egFYgSiyj1BwVix/s1600/DSC_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7RVpdgBmSMCY-KXdnHpHQ0kOXKRYiwDmr1IJixDwmpAUWoh0O-cHb2DbRrOyIpWNIwe5fvAFwJ65xk8M3Xn7sAZuOH27WLJSEpO6z8k9DfrbVyVhUqOcrsNpi2zI0egFYgSiyj1BwVix/s400/DSC_0545.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiKdQnU2jI74IFhN7FQ9F8gGTB67emgcI_BHv1dLoiDZY-_IKoFB37Ofg-7T-X-GWn1ukfl7wo9ZctObgFb5Vot56dBYa6Mkti-E2cI5fDDGTluTyTy3FXwYokz8L0AS3nxa4sKu8ke6c/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiKdQnU2jI74IFhN7FQ9F8gGTB67emgcI_BHv1dLoiDZY-_IKoFB37Ofg-7T-X-GWn1ukfl7wo9ZctObgFb5Vot56dBYa6Mkti-E2cI5fDDGTluTyTy3FXwYokz8L0AS3nxa4sKu8ke6c/s400/DSC_0549.JPG" width="266" /></a>Basically I cut the skirt apart at all the seams and removed the pregnant belly waist band. I sort of eye balled an A line skirt, held it up, decided that it'd fit and sewed up the side seams. I went to try it on and... holy hips. Oh yea, those things. Now a zipper was a good option. But, I didn't have a zipper. I also didn't think hauling the two kids to the store for a zipper was worth my time. Especially since we'd have to walk. And walk. And walk some more. We're a one car family and Dear Husband has dibbs for driving back and forth from work. Anyway, I added some inverted triangle pieces to the top of my A line skirt to widen the top enough to slide over my <b><strike>freakishly wide</strike></b> hips and my <b><strike>no way is it that big, and not big in a good way,</strike></b> butt. <b><strike>(Curse you pregnancy!</strike></b> Love you babies.) Anyway, I used some knit fabric cut from another would be maternity skirt to make a waist band and after it was attached everything fit just fine. The fabric around the hips kinda popped out from my triangle improvisation, so I added the front tie to (hopefully) distract from that. </div>
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I had fun making this! My daughter had the very important job of pushing down on that handy little lever to lock my stitches in place whenever I started and ended a seam. She <i>seemed</i> to enjoy that. Ha ha. Get it? Seam, seemed... That's a funny one right there! I'm pretty proud at how well the skirt turned out because most of my sewing equipment is packed away in a box somewhere. That means I had to do it all, even the hem, without pins or measuring tape/ seam gauge, etc. Don't look too closely, k? </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-41321654740229232022013-07-28T07:07:00.001-07:002013-07-28T07:15:13.721-07:00I Believe in the Holy Ghost and in Child Safety<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We pray together and we learn of Him.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson six is:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Holy Ghost Helps Me</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>**Time Out** </b></u>Before I continue on with talking about the Holy Ghost and how we studied lesson six this week, I want to suggest to you awesome articles on how to keep our kids safe. <a href="http://safelyeverafter.com/index.html" target="_blank">Safely Ever After</a>, is a blog site devoted to <b style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">keeping children safe from predators.</span></b> STOP telling your children not to talk to strangers! (They may NEED to talk to one someday.) Instead,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><b> teach them about safe people</b></u> </span>(like a mom with kids) that they can approach if they ever need help (like if they become separated from you in a crowded store.) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><b>A</b></u><u style="font-weight: bold;">nd, teach them about dangerous people </u></span>whom they should never trust. While you're teaching them about people,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <u><b>PLEASE teach them about their emotions.</b></u> </span>Their "gut- feelings." That alarm that each of us experiences in scary situations. Explain to children that<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <u><b>they have "uh-oh" feelings and that these feelings are good to have!</b></u></span> Whenever they have these feelings, our children should know to run (not walk!) back to a parent to talk out this situation! Always, always, better to be safe than sorry! Take a moment to read more about this and how to explain this to your kids at different stages and ages, here from: <a href="http://bellevue.patch.com/groups/kim-estes-the-savvy-safety-mamas-blog/p/bp--the-uh-oh-feeling-teaching-kids-to-listen-to-thei7a4c3f4956" target="_blank">Kim Estes of the savvy safety mamas blog.</a> Ok, one last thing while we're talking safety, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #362f2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"> </span>PLEASE take advantage of this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>{FREE}</b></span> fully illustrated book for the slightly older children, "to talk with them about their bodies, about sex, and about how to keep their minds and bodies safe from sexual abuse and free from the degrading notions about our bodies that are presented in all forms of media" (Jocylyn, author). Download this important book at: <a href="http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2012/09/teaching-children-to-protect-their.html" target="_blank">http://beinglds.blogspot.com</a>.<br />
Don't wait, visit Safely Ever After, <a href="http://safelyeverafter.com/index.html" target="_blank">[HERE]</a> right now!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, on to the lesson which is pretty well related to child safety. One of the roles the Holy Ghost plays in our lives is in providing promptings and warnings to guide us and keep us </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">safe. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How we learned this lesson:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Sing about it:</b><i> I Know My Father Lives</i> can be found online [<a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-know-my-father-lives?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>] the lyrics to the first verse are as follows:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: inherit;">I know my Father lives and loves me too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;">The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;">And tells me it is true.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Read about it: </b><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.26?lang=eng#25" target="_blank">John 14:26</a> reads, "The Holy Ghost... shall teach you all things." And, how does he teach us? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"The Holy Ghost speaks softly. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He never shouts, it's true.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He'll bless and help and guide you</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In everything you do." <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-6-the-holy-ghost-helps-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">(lds.org)</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Talk about it:</b> Here I quote directly from the manuel, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;">The <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Holy Ghost</a> is a member of the Godhead, along with Heavenly Father and <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a>. He is a personage of spirit (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130.22?lang=eng#21" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 130:22</a>). The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.36?lang=eng#35" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Nephi 11:36</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.5?lang=eng#4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moroni 10:5</a>). He can also guide us to make righteous choices and comfort us (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/31.11?lang=eng#10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 31:11</a>). The way the Holy Ghost speaks to us is described in the scriptures as a “still small voice” (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Kings 19:11–12</a>)" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-6-the-holy-ghost-helps-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">LDS Nursery Manuel</a>).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. Personalize it:</b> We had a lot of conversation and time for listening to our feelings this week. We discussed "tricky people" and "uh-oh" feelings along with the emotions love, peace, and comfort when afraid. All feelings that the Holy Ghost conveys to us. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, on<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">: <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-6-the-holy-ghost-helps-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a></span></span></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-81878553893941263012013-07-21T05:43:00.005-07:002013-07-21T05:43:54.044-07:00Jesus Showed Us How to Love Others<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We pray together and we learn of Him.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson five is:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Jesus Christ Showed Us How to Love Others</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images available at<a href="http://www.ldsclipart.com/clipart/jesus-christ?bwbps_page_15=1" target="_blank"> ldsclipart.com</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How we learned this lesson:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Sing about it:</b><i> </i>Our daughter especially loves when we sing together. So, I decided to introduce three songs this week. I didn't expect her to learn them all, or even to try to sing along with me. But, she likes listening to me and this time when she insists, "again, again" I had a couple options to chose from. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The first, as suggested by the lesson on lds.org, is:<i> I'm trying to be like Jesus. </i>(Music and lyrics <a href="http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/im-trying-to-be-like-jesus?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>.) The chorus is especially sweet: </span></div>
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Love one another as Jesus loves you. </div>
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Try to show kindness in all that you do.</div>
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Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, </div>
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For these are the things Jesus taught.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The second song,<i> Jesus Said Love Everyone</i> (music and lyrics <a href="http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/jesus-said-love-everyone?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>,) was fun to do with the actions suggested by the lesson plan:</div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jesus said love everyone; <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(spread arms out wide)</span></div>
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Treat them kindly too. <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(nod head up and down)</span></div>
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When your heart is filled with love, <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(put hand over heart)</span></div>
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Others will love you. <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(hug self)</span></div>
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The third song, is a childhood favorite of mine: <i>As I Have Loved You.</i> (Music and lyrics <a href="http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/love-one-another?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>.) </div>
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As I have loved you,</div>
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love one another... </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And, *DOUBLE BONUS* lds.org even provides video for two of these three songs in sign language! You'll see the links there on the right when you open up the music via the links given above for <i>I'm Trying to be Like Jesus</i> and, <i>As I Have Loved You. </i></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Read about it: </b>The scriptures tell of countless stories where Jesus Christ showed love to those around him. We chose to read a new scripture story every day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The stories we used were: </b></span></div>
</span><b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/17.21-24?lang=eng#20">3 Nephi 17:21–24</a> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus blessed the children when he visited the Nephites. </span></div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/9.1-12?lang=eng#0">John 9:1–12</a> </b>Jesus gave sight to the blind man.</div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.13-21?lang=eng#12">Matthew 14:13–21</a> </b>Jesus fed the thousand with fish and bread. </div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.?lang=eng#" target="_blank">Luke 10: 30 - 35</a> </b>Jesus gives the parable of the Good Samaritan.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/1.?lang=eng#" target="_blank">Mark 1: 34</a> </b>Jesus heals the sick</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>To keep her interested: </b>I printed off a clip art picture to represent each story, wrote a verse on the back, and put them in a bag. Our daughter then had the very important role of choosing a picture out of the bag each day! She loved this! The picture prompted discussion and made reading the verses more fun. Having the verse written on the back helped me stay organized so that talking about the stories, and reading a verse from the story went smoothly and quickly, therefore keeping her attention. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Talk about it:</b> Our daughter loves for us to tell her stories before nap time and bed time. It's her way of stalling. So heck, why not use the time to reiterate what we learned during our little daily lesson time? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. Personalize it:</b> I made more of an effort to remember and emulate Christ's love in my own actions this week. I found myself with added patience and gratitude toward my little children. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, at<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">: </span><a href="http://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-5-jesus-christ-showed-us-how-to-love-others?lang=eng" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lds.org</a></span></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-21618759496509321352013-07-18T11:08:00.002-07:002013-07-18T11:08:32.914-07:00Easy sticky paint recipe!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxvsZfoNquC0k1N6xB54-CajyYlD8a6LjBsvHvu8jds8YPOPb58cruK-VNp4jE95XVFtQul6nXXxrOx7jnyR5S9JfJL608yNvb_E_eTFxorbIv0Ov5q93LgN_1eh4JxOM6V1VQo0aD640/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxvsZfoNquC0k1N6xB54-CajyYlD8a6LjBsvHvu8jds8YPOPb58cruK-VNp4jE95XVFtQul6nXXxrOx7jnyR5S9JfJL608yNvb_E_eTFxorbIv0Ov5q93LgN_1eh4JxOM6V1VQo0aD640/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I just learned about sticky paint! It is so much fun! Wipes clean and isn't toxic... because... all it is is a can of sweet and condensed milk colored with food coloring! I divided the can of condensed milk into six using a large muffin tin, but next time I'll use paper cups or bowls to make clean up quicker. Three drops of food coloring into each round and we had a paint tray just waiting for an eager toddler! This paint is awesome because it's thick and fun to goop on the paper. And, unlike water colors it won't run everywhere or turn to a murky brown when my kid mixes it together on her paper. In fact, it kind of has a marbling effect! I gotta remember to pick up some paint brushes next time I'm at the store! We improvised with q-tips and two sponge brushes today though and they worked well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKNbi5RMcXQYQikNWAuIJldp2nxzRafhet_XjfxiaVIP996ASlA8XIqVT3B0IV7rqcvsP8Jd6ETxtS1Pwyu5bHrmZZEUTL_luYK8hC4wEfZ6fNDgjIN9xOItVfj8V1IPhK_yaD31JpTRi/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKNbi5RMcXQYQikNWAuIJldp2nxzRafhet_XjfxiaVIP996ASlA8XIqVT3B0IV7rqcvsP8Jd6ETxtS1Pwyu5bHrmZZEUTL_luYK8hC4wEfZ6fNDgjIN9xOItVfj8V1IPhK_yaD31JpTRi/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpubMfR7WM6TaLoWoX8SPLX-w_RSvmQbnBN5qJpAHuLVaK2TZ5G2IuLpbllJp5Yxa4XZ4uxnNd3yO0o2nCynsjzMAaz4YQR4PMBoIrJMZcooqJZuypUNUZ7sLwdRfnN1BJpYeUeqtZAgZE/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpubMfR7WM6TaLoWoX8SPLX-w_RSvmQbnBN5qJpAHuLVaK2TZ5G2IuLpbllJp5Yxa4XZ4uxnNd3yO0o2nCynsjzMAaz4YQR4PMBoIrJMZcooqJZuypUNUZ7sLwdRfnN1BJpYeUeqtZAgZE/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUyonrrvnI3v_jG5QZuSR5cc7ZXXqOM6IizZJ9Lue2M2h7uFHdMPArZWQ2YkBrMl_JgRigfe5cb15bBU3JQDnlxhqXqCWJFOwSqWie6YU55VJkafcUCZIEujjux043cc12rFwkw7hIEa-/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUyonrrvnI3v_jG5QZuSR5cc7ZXXqOM6IizZJ9Lue2M2h7uFHdMPArZWQ2YkBrMl_JgRigfe5cb15bBU3JQDnlxhqXqCWJFOwSqWie6YU55VJkafcUCZIEujjux043cc12rFwkw7hIEa-/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-82089036281605350792013-07-14T06:45:00.001-07:002013-07-14T06:45:20.352-07:00Bringing our children unto Christ, week 4.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We pray together and we learn of Him.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson four is:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Love Me</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How we learned this lesson:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Sing about it:</b><i> I Feel my Saviors Love</i>; music [<a href="http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-feel-my-saviors-love?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>].</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> "I feel my Savior’s love </span></span></div>
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In all the world around me. </div>
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I feel my Savior’s love,</div>
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The love he freely gives me"</div>
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And, bonus!, lds.org even provides video of this song in sign language! You'll see it there on the right when you open up the music via the link given above. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Read about it:</b> <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.10-12?lang=eng#9">John 15:10-12</a>,<b> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/18.5,10?lang=eng#4">Matthew 18: 5, 10</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/10.13-16?lang=eng#12">Mark 10:13–16</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/17.11-24?lang=eng#10">3 Nephi 17:11–24</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"> </span>Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love all of us, and maybe especially the children! The bible testifies of this, as does the Book of Mormon. Reading the scriptures with our kiddos is a great way to show them, and not only tell them, how important we believe the books to be.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Talk about it:</b> Share a story about Jesus's love! The nursery manual offers this summary of the story found in the 3rd Nephi scripture listed above:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;">Jesus was teaching the people<span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span> He asked them to bring their little children to Him<span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span> They sat on the ground around Him, and Jesus knelt and prayed<span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span> Then He blessed each child, one by one. Jesus did this because He loves little children</span> (<a href="http://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-4-heavenly-father-and-jesus-christ-love-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a>)." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. Personalize it:</b> When we brushed our teeth, I'd point out my kids reflections in the mirror: "Look at you! Is that you?" And, to my toddler, "Repeat after me. Heavenly... Father... and Jesus... love me!" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, at: <a href="http://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-4-heavenly-father-and-jesus-christ-love-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a></span></div>
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It is hard to imagine someone, anyone, even deity, loving these kids more than I do! </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-87510308099587898152013-07-10T09:04:00.000-07:002013-07-10T09:10:25.291-07:00Toddler Feet: Painting Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our two year old has requested a purple butterfly room in our new house and I knew just the craft to do for it! Not my original idea, lots of talented moms out there have done this already, but today was our turn! Didn't they turn out cute?! I love them! We just used plain white paper because I'm not sure how I want to use these butterflies in her room yet. More than likely I'll frame them, or modge podge them onto something. Ideas?<br />
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We had a lot of fun making these this morning! I even snagged my wiggly 8 month old to get his foot print and handprint stamped. Better add those to the scrap book! Our mess was mostly contained too, except for the little bit that made it to the floor that I didn't notice until after little girl had walked in it <i>and</i> little boy had crawled through it! No biggie- scrub, scrub, scrub!<br />
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We didn't want to put the paints away, and really- what's the hurry? So we used sponge brushes and q-tips to create some more masterpieces.<br />
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<span id="goog_620780913"></span><span id="goog_620780914"></span><br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-46038240745260543752013-07-06T12:43:00.000-07:002013-07-06T12:43:37.105-07:00Bringing our Children unto Christ, week 3<div style="text-align: center;">
30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</div>
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Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </div>
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Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</div>
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We pray together and we learn of Him. </div>
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In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </div>
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Lesson three is:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can Pray to Heavenly Father </span></div>
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How we learned this concept this week:</div>
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We continued in prayer this week as we normally do; praying before meals and bedtime. Sometimes, our daughter would volunteer to say the prayer so we'd lend her the words to help her do so. Other times, she'd choose which one of us parents should say it. And, sometimes she'd start shrieking mid prayer, "No prayer! Mom! Dad! All done! No more prayer!!" It was all we could do to suppress our laughter while we finished talking to God.<br />
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The nursery manuel had a great idea for a prayer visual. I liked it because we worked on recognizing numbers and learning their sequence all the while learning the parts of prayer.<br />
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I simply folded a piece of paper and cut slits in the top layer to create tabs which I then numbered 1 through 4. Underneath the tabs, I taped on simple images to represent different parts of prayer.<br />
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1. Address Heavenly Father and talk to him. We can talk to God at any time and about anything! This might even be a good time to confess sins and seek his forgiveness.<br />
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2. Thank God for our blessings. We brainstormed things to be grateful for and that we may want to include in our prayers: our food, toys, books, baby brother, daddy's job...<br />
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3. Pray for ourselves and for others. What are things that we need help with? Listening, sharing, being kind... What are things we know others need help with? Safety while away from home, patience, health...<br />
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4. End our prayer in the name of His son, Jesus Christ, Amen! </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-2144719903483975302013-06-30T13:33:00.002-07:002013-06-30T13:33:43.372-07:00Bringing our children unto Christ, week 2. <div style="text-align: center;">
30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We pray together and we learn of Him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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Lesson two is: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heavenly Father Has a Plan for Me</span></div>
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The introduction to this lesson reads, "We lived with Heavenly Father as spirits before we were born. Heavenly
Father prepared a plan that allows us to come to earth and receive
physical bodies in order to become like Him and return to His presence.
This is made possible through the Atonement of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ">Jesus Christ</a> and our obedience. Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior."<br />
For the complete lesson click {<a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual/lesson-2-heavenly-father-has-a-plan-for-me?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>}.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How we learned this concept last week: </span><br />
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<b>1. Song. </b><br />
We learned the song, <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-am-a-child-of-god?lang=eng" target="_blank">I Am a Child of God</a>, last week and continued singing it this week. It's lyrics teach a beautiful truth about who we are, where we came from, and what our Heavenly Fathers plan for each of us is. To better realize what it is we have been singing, I printed out simple images that go along with the songs message. Each morning, my little girl colored a picture so that by the end of the week we had a musical story complete with visual aids. <br />
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<b>2. Read the scriptures.</b><br />
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We opened up her illustrated bible and talked about the pictures. In the beginning God made the earth... And someday, when we're all done living on this earth, we'll go up to Heaven to live with Him again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfG1W66pxxprMypMb6I-JsGq7ztvcU3uz-9UMtlJXhkePu0cXAFbGrVxAiJLg0APHr7UEGHr21NWhHd43BVN9LMK_08PkHJ03b-GR7dBXt9DD7FcbQiCHl2RcMZHAed2qG1nxkpcQMZIe/s308/9781400323890_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfG1W66pxxprMypMb6I-JsGq7ztvcU3uz-9UMtlJXhkePu0cXAFbGrVxAiJLg0APHr7UEGHr21NWhHd43BVN9LMK_08PkHJ03b-GR7dBXt9DD7FcbQiCHl2RcMZHAed2qG1nxkpcQMZIe/s308/9781400323890_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" height="400" width="337" /></a></div>
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We absolutely love this cute book, available <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Very-First-Bible-Stories/dp/B00AF52AQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372624210&sr=8-1&keywords=my+very+first+bible+stories" target="_blank">here on amazon</a>, for the cute rhymes of the most well known biblical stories.<br />
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<b>3. Talk about it!</b> <i> </i><br />
"Did you know that someday you get to live with Jesus again in heaven?" I asked my daughter one morning, and she replied, "Yes, please!" <br />
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She's just the sweetest little thing.<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-4232697892507456422013-06-26T11:16:00.000-07:002013-07-06T12:46:44.702-07:00Not another baby brother! <div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My toddler caught me stepping out of the shower </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the other morning and exclaimed, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Oh! More baby in tummy, mom?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, sweetie, that's just fat... Thanks for pointing it out. </span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-40989882379716322742013-06-24T06:48:00.003-07:002013-06-24T06:48:59.063-07:00Bringing our children unto Christ, Week One. <br />
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30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/behold-your-little-ones-nursery-manual?lang=eng" target="_blank">lds.org</a>.</div>
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Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. </div>
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Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...</div>
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We pray together and we learn of Him. </div>
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In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. </div>
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Lesson one is: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I Am a Child of God</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88QQ5FlWnq_8MVyJuejYKwIpYXg-lkWq14lbCGDwbnl_PawXKKPGrYzn3nRhd5hwzzLQMvwZz6Co0-zzJIyPBqzippfgoCbx8XOHC8GUhwsDDEOsQEbsA_azPkMzREJSrcegIXJWG2X2K/s1600/Daughter+of+Royal+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88QQ5FlWnq_8MVyJuejYKwIpYXg-lkWq14lbCGDwbnl_PawXKKPGrYzn3nRhd5hwzzLQMvwZz6Co0-zzJIyPBqzippfgoCbx8XOHC8GUhwsDDEOsQEbsA_azPkMzREJSrcegIXJWG2X2K/s640/Daughter+of+Royal+birth.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet print out is available at the Lily and Thistle <a href="http://lilyandthistle.blogspot.com/2010/07/turning-thrift-store-frame-into.html" target="_blank">Blog</a>. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How learned this concept last week: </span><br />
<br />
<b>1. Song. </b><br />
The beautiful song, <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-am-a-child-of-god?lang=eng" target="_blank">I Am a Child of God</a>, is easy to learn with cheerful repetition. Actually in just two lines a day, the first verse and chorus were committed to our memory by the end of the week. We also sang the song through out the day using sign language and in Spanish too. (You may remember that we have set the goal for our daughter to learn 100 words in sign language and 100 words in Spanish, what better way to learn than by music?)<br />
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<b>2. Read the bible.</b><br />
Psalm 82:6 reads, "All of you are children of [God]" and Moses learns of his relationship to God in Moses 1:4, "Behold, thou art my son."<br />
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<b>3. Talk about it!</b> <i> </i><br />
<i>You are a child of God. Mommy is a child of God. Baby brother is a child of God..</i>.<br />
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<b>4. Personalize it. </b><br />
For this activity, I printed off a page that reads: I Am a Child of God; Soy un Hijo de Dios at the top. (Great way to help her to recognize those important words too!) Then, I printed off pictures of family members. Nothing fancy, I don't even have a color printer. The point is, my daughter knew who they were and she loved talking about them. We picked one picture out of a bag each day and talked about how they, (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, uncle...) were a child of God. Then, my daughter had the very important job of taping their picture to the Child of God paper. We chose to stick it to the fridge all week! She loved this and starting asking for it first thing when she woke up! Maybe we'll continue it on this week; we certainly have a large enough family to keep it going for a long time!<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-58052892492331240502013-06-16T13:43:00.000-07:002013-06-16T13:43:11.130-07:00Juicing: Strawberry Peach Lemonade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnUox67v6IyZUbQktE2NvkvFN8dSrzVXSHIfHKtmP4muDg6FKXsmfbPttAFSm1NkWtP1tEXxb8dU7Ra6yBy_WkVqpgy3rB5IWdj3A6t0WXpsw0YAXAH1ZsnENxy-G8IKX3wuP18SvyJ7Z/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnUox67v6IyZUbQktE2NvkvFN8dSrzVXSHIfHKtmP4muDg6FKXsmfbPttAFSm1NkWtP1tEXxb8dU7Ra6yBy_WkVqpgy3rB5IWdj3A6t0WXpsw0YAXAH1ZsnENxy-G8IKX3wuP18SvyJ7Z/s400/DSC_0111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Who knew making lemonade was so easy?! There is only one rule of thumb: Equal Parts! </div>
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Equal parts sugar, lemon juice, and water! </div>
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(Plus additional water for diluting.) </div>
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After that, you can get creative and make all sorts of yummy flavored lemonades! </div>
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Our favorite: Strawberry Peach. </div>
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<b>Recipe:</b><br />
1 Cup Sugar (can use 3/4 cup, or can substitute honey.)<br />
1 Cup Water<br />
1 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice (6 to 8 lemons)<br />
2 Fresh Peaches, juiced.<br />
2 Handfuls Fresh Strawberries, juiced.<br />
3 to 4 Cups cold water. <br />
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Heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan on the stove until sugar is dissolved. This makes the syrup for the lemonade.<br />
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Juice the fruit.<br />
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Pour hot sugar water into a pitcher and then add the fruit juice. Stir in 3 to 4 cups of cold water, to taste. I like to add 3 cups of water so I can serve the lemonade over ice and not risk it losing any flavor. Allow to chill before serving. If you think you have added too much water, simply add more lemon juice to revive the tartness. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-4815202615138013342013-06-16T13:16:00.000-07:002013-06-16T13:16:21.536-07:00Communicating by 100 Goal!During my difficult pregnancy, and a rather rocky transition into having two children, my main focus has been survival! And, sleep. Yes, to survive and to sleep. I gotta say it though, I am now ready to raise the bar! I feel like I have a years worth of living, and teaching my toddler, to make up for and I am finally ready to set some higher expectations for myself! <br />
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I want to do a better job of catering to my daughters exceptional ability to communicate. She loves to interact with people. She is obsessed with words! And I want to encourage this. So, I am making a goal of 100.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're going to focus on learning to sign 100 words in American Sign Language, of saying 100 words in Spanish, and in recognizing 100 written words... all by the time she turns three next March. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">She already has a solid foundation in each category, so I know she will succeed if only I get my act together and show her the way!</span><br />
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So what? Why post about it here on this blog, this... sewing blog. Well, my sewing is packed away in boxes at the moment. And, more importantly, I want to "give a little, take a little" from this wonderful online entity of moms and teachers. Already, I have found marvelous plans and activities for kiddos from other blogs and pinterest and I want to share them as I use them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think together, we can raise the best generation of young people this world has ever seen! It's going to take work and persistence. But, with all the resources we have available to us through modern technology, anything less than the absolute best in our offspring is not acceptable. </span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-90167801867381723992013-06-09T08:26:00.001-07:002013-06-09T09:32:43.223-07:00The purpose of boobs. The hour was late and the mood was tense. After a long day of travel, we had missed our connecting flight and were crowded into a dirty van like shuttle set to bus our little crowd of cranky strangers to a nearby hotel. We'd have to sleep here tonight, and continue on to our destination first thing in the morning. My husband climbed into the front seat and the kids and I took the last available seat a couple rows back; baby on my lap and toddler squished between me and a very professional woman clicking away on her smart phone. All was quiet as we pulled away from the curb and merged onto the highway. I am learning that there is something about silence that invites toddlers to share exactly what's on their mind. And so it was just then, when my daughter reached out her little hand to grab the woman next to her's breast and ask loudly, hand lingering on her chest, if she was going to feed the baby? Oh. My. Gosh. I could have died! My daughter persisted and would not stop asking until this patient woman just told her yes, "that's what they're for... sometimes."<br />
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<br /><br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-4495848029796506852013-06-09T08:08:00.001-07:002013-06-09T09:29:42.541-07:00Who are Buzz Lightyear and Woody? We have watched Toy Story probably a zillion times in our home. We even have a Toy Story book to read before bed. Rather than reading the story last night, I used it to spark conversation with my sweet two year old. We discussed how the piggy bank held money and how Rex the dinosaur roars. Then, pointing to Buzz, I asked her, "Who is this?"<br />
"Bless you!" She answered confidently. Apparently, I need to annunciate better if she thinks Buzz Lightyear sounds like Bless You!<br />
Surpressing a laugh I continued by pointing to Woody and asking, "And, what is his name?"<br />
"Toy Story!" <br />
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Close enough!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7FxPyI214Ieo7lTqsGrpWpqVVl7Z6qvl0qn6qNDCDbJd4xsAhOogcED3AThm0UZJiDTkGY6AmScDZYKgSq_jreKFSy13ABFuh-ZNDicuHxMyoZvQjB99hIBYSXpLIqrDGDvJqXkfmEuA/s1600/6172047620003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7FxPyI214Ieo7lTqsGrpWpqVVl7Z6qvl0qn6qNDCDbJd4xsAhOogcED3AThm0UZJiDTkGY6AmScDZYKgSq_jreKFSy13ABFuh-ZNDicuHxMyoZvQjB99hIBYSXpLIqrDGDvJqXkfmEuA/s320/6172047620003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.disneystore.com/woody-talking-action-figure-16/mp/1247139/1000255/" target="_blank">Picture of "Bless You" courtesy of disney store. com</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV3VEJZ6Qg-2hVENgrN0VAC59gKuZ5xiPJaZ5nLEJwe18ee2bhPH9RI3FC0r387Wcr5rDjEzV7AN0sQFIFys9prH47eFfvgbyovTiLs6T-_rKjC0NJFlh3xwI3eTWR9KpdplujdjhtSEW/s1600/200500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV3VEJZ6Qg-2hVENgrN0VAC59gKuZ5xiPJaZ5nLEJwe18ee2bhPH9RI3FC0r387Wcr5rDjEzV7AN0sQFIFys9prH47eFfvgbyovTiLs6T-_rKjC0NJFlh3xwI3eTWR9KpdplujdjhtSEW/s320/200500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.disneystore.com/woody-talking-action-figure-16/mp/1247139/1000255/" target="_blank">Picture of "Toy Story" courtesy of disney store. com </a></span></td></tr>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-14540392932258908532013-06-09T07:59:00.000-07:002013-06-09T07:59:16.203-07:00Farmers Market Lotion<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little Girl thought I bought her new lotion from the </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Farmers Market yesterday! </span></span></div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-13998488148450880012013-05-14T14:14:00.002-07:002013-06-09T08:10:11.695-07:00Toddlerisims: Bunnies in YellowstoneSpent a wonderful Mothers Day in beautiful Yellowstone National Park. We saw lots of buffalo, some elk, and an eagle, but our daughters favorite animal were the <i>bunnies</i>! We saw bunnies eating grass, walking in the stream and even hopping across the road. Each time we came upon them, our daughter pointed and would excidetly exclaim, "Bunnies!!!" Or, "Bunnies jumping!!!" Oddly enough, these <i>bunnies </i>looked an awful lot like deer. <br />
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I guess I can see the resemblance to her favorite bunny book! </div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-67928507310479685402013-05-14T13:13:00.000-07:002013-05-14T13:13:16.145-07:00Homemade (Healthy) Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGikxkvD7j6LeIqvgrQKF0ae9OqM69fzvAaXWT490ccq_SG04fiO0gg2oh3Ge_TCvxQYElAvS9N33xK45kCZ6kMmanzfA-5lWlSSgeVUsaRsMIbgEMk7Ljd4WJqDTSfJjGXPhQwGJPJbXb/s1600/picmonkey+collage+ice+cream+3_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGikxkvD7j6LeIqvgrQKF0ae9OqM69fzvAaXWT490ccq_SG04fiO0gg2oh3Ge_TCvxQYElAvS9N33xK45kCZ6kMmanzfA-5lWlSSgeVUsaRsMIbgEMk7Ljd4WJqDTSfJjGXPhQwGJPJbXb/s1600/picmonkey+collage+ice+cream+3_edited-1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. Banana Split Ice Cream</div>
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2. Cinnamon Swirl Peach Ice Cream</div>
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3. Rocky Road Ice Cream</div>
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4. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream</div>
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5. Island Ice Cream</div>
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6. Chocolate Covered Apricot Ice Cream</div>
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We're moving far away in two short days, but I keep finding things to do other than the important move related stuff. Queen of procrastination right here. At least todays distraction tastes AMAZING. And, like most of my fabulous ideas, this explanation begins with: <i>There's this pin on pinterest...</i>and it looks something like this:<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/AVvXsEjUNGJVMK5oZwtVSHykWpZqw73Cb4yqWYmpUtKqdqhbMvSFQkHmM-dDQ0O3Igh6bLxsqQSIjHbWDO369ldjwIl_MIcSzmo3XEpJzTx92pitv2nHGogxTB9uchxUvfNy9EVasxW3K04D5d_1/s1600/bfeceba37c6c409c16670395ac71091d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNGJVMK5oZwtVSHykWpZqw73Cb4yqWYmpUtKqdqhbMvSFQkHmM-dDQ0O3Igh6bLxsqQSIjHbWDO369ldjwIl_MIcSzmo3XEpJzTx92pitv2nHGogxTB9uchxUvfNy9EVasxW3K04D5d_1/s1600/bfeceba37c6c409c16670395ac71091d.jpg" height="640" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture Courtesy of <a href="http://newbornmama.blogspot.com/2013/04/banana-ice-cream-yum-good-for-you.html" target="_blank">newbornmama.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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So basically it's this one ingredient ice cream, and the star of the show? Bananas. Yep. Slice 'em, freeze 'em, blend 'em! The texture is just like that of real ice cream! And, you don't have to eat just a plain ol' frozen banana treat. You can add in pretty much anything you want. I know peanut butter and almond butter are two popular additions, but this morning I tried a whole bunch of creations and I'm still coming up with more that I'd like to try! Here's one that's perfect for summer time and appeals to the health concious:<br />
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My husbands favorite is the banana split concoction whereas mine would probably have to be the dark chocolate peanut butter flavor. Next time, I want to try adding a gob of nutella and a handful of maraschino cherries to some plain banana ice cream! Or... serve plain banana ice cream inside a miniature graham cracker pie crust and topped with whip cream and drizzled with caramel. Oh yes, now we're talking! The flavors we came up with today all began with plain banana ice cream and ended with the following mix-ins:<br />
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<b>Banana Split</b>- Chopped strawberries and nuts, chocolate chips; topped with chocolate syrup and a cherry.<br />
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<b>Cinnamon Swirl Peach</b>- Chopped peaches and melted cinnamon chips; topped with a peach slice.<br />
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<b>Rocky Road</b>- Tiny bit of cocoa powder, slivered almonds and marshmallows<br />
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<b>Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter</b>- Tiny bit of dark cocoa powder, and a gob of peanut butter<br />
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<b>Chocolate covered Apricot</b>- Chopped chocolate covered apricots<br />
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<b>Island Ice Cream</b>- Shredded coconut and slivered almonds topped with coconut and whole almonds<br />
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<b>Chocolate Covered Strawberry</b>- Tiny bit of cocoa, chopped strawberries topped with chocolate syrup<br />
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<b>Mixed Berry</b>- Thawed frozen berries (black berries, raspberries, blue berries and strawberries)<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-50245680286397800952013-05-10T10:41:00.000-07:002013-05-10T10:41:53.261-07:00Redneck Party and Jokes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Had a fun redneck themed going away party last night and it was a hoot! We're so blessed to have such great friends; sure going to miss them when we move several states away next week...<br />
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Didn't my husband do a great job on the redneck cake? In addition to that, we made sure to include some NASCAR crackers served with cheese in a can, and had our drinks (root-beer and cream soda in a bottle) cooling in the sink filled with ice. <br />
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I think my favorite thing to include was the guest book. Friends wrote some really nice, and some really funny things in there! We enjoyed laughing over redneck jokes. And ofcourse, these jokes are all silly and in good fun and not intended to offend. <br />
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You might be a red neck if... <br />
your dad is walking you to school because you're in the same grade!<br />
your home has more wheels than your vehicle.<br />
you mow your lawn and find a car! <br />
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What's the last thing you usually hear before a redneck dies?
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Hey y'all.. Watch this!
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How To Pick Up A Chick In Arkansas:
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Hey Baby! Nice Tooth.
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7031407650561610233.post-54051518632385802572013-04-18T09:31:00.000-07:002013-04-18T09:40:32.645-07:00Toddler Logic: Little Mermaid Wears GlassesOur daughter, LJ's, favorite toy right now is the Fisher Price Little People Little Mermaid set.<br />
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She was playing with it yesterday and wanted to tell me about Ariel. LJ cannot say mermaid, but she held her up for me to see, pointed to her bikini top and told me, "Fish baby wears glasses!" Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766497374238749237noreply@blogger.com1