tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91116792001840204862024-02-19T04:09:33.173-08:00Mas*Tailor* Made in HeavenMas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-24552444667705326262014-09-15T08:21:00.000-07:002014-09-15T08:21:39.052-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a look into our magical vacation! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was fun, exciting, tiring, a lot of work (with two little ones, traveling to four different places) and of course, once we got on the boat, it was absolutely magical! Here's a run down of our itinerary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 1-4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lake Stevens with Uncle Glenn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">He lives approximately 45 minutes north of Seattle, depending on traffic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 5 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hop on a train to Vancouver </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">(the night before stayed in a hotel close to the airport so we could return our car at 6am!!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leave Vancouver and get on "Mickey's Boat"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 6-10</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One plane, one car, one train, one home, two hotels, and finally we made it to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MICKEY'S BOAT!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, as you can tell we were all over. It was quite the headache to figure out the cheapest/easiest way to get to our destinations. The car rental was the biggest pain. It was literally double the price to return the car in Vancouver because you'd have to drive it over the border. So, it was cheaper to stay in a hotel, close to the car rental location, take it back super early in the morning, and then take a taxi to a train station in the city. It was kind of hectic, and very tiring with all of our luggage, a car seat, and two little boys, but we managed and were even more grateful to just get on the boat and relax! ha! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now for the fun stuff...ENJOY the pictures! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17gk0TVP3T8hXDVBuDqNy-feFIXOIhq0B3y0wQWlV0YxsGjCxEC_ibD0sapGFMvEuHFjpJGPRXV8OyuOdjmsOyS2TL7oaBjI134yc7vkV7a_uryrw0U4CTVgckQq4PNCY1_89hjPRI28/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17gk0TVP3T8hXDVBuDqNy-feFIXOIhq0B3y0wQWlV0YxsGjCxEC_ibD0sapGFMvEuHFjpJGPRXV8OyuOdjmsOyS2TL7oaBjI134yc7vkV7a_uryrw0U4CTVgckQq4PNCY1_89hjPRI28/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the plane! Here we go! I was worried Hunter would be scared, but he did awesome! Him and Daddy acted like they were trying to fly the plane, and that eased him into the ride. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBn5Xb5RnywCcdgwyQ9oZex-E7tMWiPgBhK9dFm6O3jg6-LVOjnwxuohC0Hxurfpr6aCU656l8lwe3GWTEhD4aFu7CjEbku-BYOUGEyq_MrPIATV1MdMo1GT3Rf3Jtg2okLBIx9S3_5Io/s1600/IMG_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBn5Xb5RnywCcdgwyQ9oZex-E7tMWiPgBhK9dFm6O3jg6-LVOjnwxuohC0Hxurfpr6aCU656l8lwe3GWTEhD4aFu7CjEbku-BYOUGEyq_MrPIATV1MdMo1GT3Rf3Jtg2okLBIx9S3_5Io/s1600/IMG_0755.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seattle Aquarium</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">We had to go here first because this was the place that Hunter was most excited for. Of course, it was fun. We got through it pretty quick. Being that it was our first day of vacation, we were all pretty excited to be somewhere new and wanted to go exploring. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh1fuVvd36hnZqWVSey2uvaTwBzX8codB11OmxJzZrF6N8hYJvnc3lWnJ1BwzW3vwu4ncyR12r0mb_rq8Ar6DfvW0Os2Q9dfA1Si62q9hG1xeAXeQuoVSv1TiP_u_vKOendKFJKHYl1A/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh1fuVvd36hnZqWVSey2uvaTwBzX8codB11OmxJzZrF6N8hYJvnc3lWnJ1BwzW3vwu4ncyR12r0mb_rq8Ar6DfvW0Os2Q9dfA1Si62q9hG1xeAXeQuoVSv1TiP_u_vKOendKFJKHYl1A/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One place that Hunter was looking forward to was the aquarium. <br />He has an obsession with Ocean animals. He had a blast! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0wofi5SqdGPW_lWOFcdRdaoV76si9ekEWaV1o22PoLXQAzoxqJOJ32BIuvSEa8i7NkWBuAs0U-oBOnONWWL77alBMu-0uZse58IeH4Xu6WqgEoQKVuIzX2XHUIL3V29d4Y2inkGnF3I/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0wofi5SqdGPW_lWOFcdRdaoV76si9ekEWaV1o22PoLXQAzoxqJOJ32BIuvSEa8i7NkWBuAs0U-oBOnONWWL77alBMu-0uZse58IeH4Xu6WqgEoQKVuIzX2XHUIL3V29d4Y2inkGnF3I/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aquarium was kind of small, but Hunter didn't care. He ran and walked around like he owned the place. He gets SO excited at places like this! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLquxorZtMR8xTS7cvqB_RtDTGbnZ-G5yM1BZHQBEtHY2LUw0E-6douBc25kvLxYaMMTsMSPUOFsEPc9Smgpt-NzZkx6sGEMIoEwk3fDb6-6DYzze4LIbL-Rl__rUDYDbi3y7z9ohfFO8/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLquxorZtMR8xTS7cvqB_RtDTGbnZ-G5yM1BZHQBEtHY2LUw0E-6douBc25kvLxYaMMTsMSPUOFsEPc9Smgpt-NzZkx6sGEMIoEwk3fDb6-6DYzze4LIbL-Rl__rUDYDbi3y7z9ohfFO8/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPQOkjn5o5e0LNW_YLXtP5ob7xUFAN-xLiksBEdMyWsxVGch0bZJQ1BFeK2kaFVw5xlCnk6WBEhDw9CQ1yGSQvHj5c2V2aVrkMeoZQvGQ9AaPw1J1VdX6uYg-ozYIay5-aOCFsTKh07M/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPQOkjn5o5e0LNW_YLXtP5ob7xUFAN-xLiksBEdMyWsxVGch0bZJQ1BFeK2kaFVw5xlCnk6WBEhDw9CQ1yGSQvHj5c2V2aVrkMeoZQvGQ9AaPw1J1VdX6uYg-ozYIay5-aOCFsTKh07M/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running around by Pike's Place Market. Not going to lie, there was a lot of homeless people out because of how nice the weather was haha </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlcrWNv-F2aDlJTblS32vaKRuXQ5iPwumRJaXVvhz0orM-CvIvA6sOXNWRbULyUqcuxcCPZpW2lPWUHHM3VLAGY1_XIY0xBAk1wjuNYOPuRPU03VvJ2SAOWYWl4SCF5CfQs_BfmUAb7k/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlcrWNv-F2aDlJTblS32vaKRuXQ5iPwumRJaXVvhz0orM-CvIvA6sOXNWRbULyUqcuxcCPZpW2lPWUHHM3VLAGY1_XIY0xBAk1wjuNYOPuRPU03VvJ2SAOWYWl4SCF5CfQs_BfmUAb7k/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've always loved cities that are right on the water!<br />And look at that huge gondola/ferris wheel! Let's just say it wasn't worth the $40 to ride, and I'm glad Hunter wanted to ride the $2 carousel instead! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZrBsaPaAcZzdjxoAQqkQG_r-bGwfKIdRAOip29SakO3TFaAGr6C6PEcS73aBQ7z9_LGYXXqHIxD4Ctd-trNloiyuhEiQSJ6ZX_QQ51q9bGvAxyHCqGt1aSS8oJvrmdpHkLweZPU2wYs/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZrBsaPaAcZzdjxoAQqkQG_r-bGwfKIdRAOip29SakO3TFaAGr6C6PEcS73aBQ7z9_LGYXXqHIxD4Ctd-trNloiyuhEiQSJ6ZX_QQ51q9bGvAxyHCqGt1aSS8oJvrmdpHkLweZPU2wYs/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJagmJzVwnlunPoM0ZLgyOjzlWYWKpjPb1XLURwdO1xKW66tjSvJplqTMdsPCPyyVjDegJLcOIwDDYZ22m46JVtVItXOKDrByqpxtbMBzGWM3Q393Xc_M8yTmYd7Nh5O6pL5A8OeOhqHs/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJagmJzVwnlunPoM0ZLgyOjzlWYWKpjPb1XLURwdO1xKW66tjSvJplqTMdsPCPyyVjDegJLcOIwDDYZ22m46JVtVItXOKDrByqpxtbMBzGWM3Q393Xc_M8yTmYd7Nh5O6pL5A8OeOhqHs/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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I purchased all of us a city pass before we left. This is what it entailed. </div>
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<li class="c1-bdr" style="background-color: #efefef; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-color: rgb(53, 181, 235); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0.5em 0.75em; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/space-needle" key="spaceneedle" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">SPACE NEEDLE<br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><small style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.75em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">TWO VISITS</small></a><span class="nav-arw s s-w" style="background-image: url(http://s2.citypass.net/css-e7ef842/img/s-template-white.png); background-position: -50px -280px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 14px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.35; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0.4em; top: 1.15em; width: 14px;"></span></li>
<li class="c2-bdr fl-single-line" style="background-color: #efefef; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-color: rgb(78, 164, 79); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0.5em 0.75em; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/seattle-aquarium" key="seattleaquarium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">SEATTLE AQUARIUM</a><span class="nav-arw s s-w" style="background-image: url(http://s2.citypass.net/css-e7ef842/img/s-template-white.png); background-position: -50px -280px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 14px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.35; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0.4em; top: 0.6em; width: 14px;"></span></li>
<li class="c3-bdr fl-single-line" style="background-color: #efefef; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-color: rgb(235, 91, 76); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0.5em 0.75em; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/argosy-harbor-cruises" key="argosy" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">ARGOSY CRUISES HARBOR TOUR</a><span class="nav-arw s s-w" style="background-image: url(http://s2.citypass.net/css-e7ef842/img/s-template-white.png); background-position: -50px -280px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 14px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.35; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0.4em; top: 0.6em; width: 14px;"></span></li>
<li class="c5-bdr nav-or-item" style="background-color: #efefef; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-color: rgb(102, 204, 204); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0.35em 0.75em; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><a class="" href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/emp-museum" key="emp" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">EMP MUSEUM <span class="nav-or c0" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #ce0033; display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">OR</span></a> <br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><a class="" href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/woodland-park-zoo" key="woodland" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">WOODLAND PARK ZOO</a><span class="nav-arw s s-w" style="background-image: url(http://s2.citypass.net/css-e7ef842/img/s-template-white.png); background-position: -50px -280px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 14px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.35; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0.4em; top: 1.15em; width: 14px;"></span></li>
<li class="c4-bdr nav-or-item" style="background-color: #efefef; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-color: rgb(255, 153, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0.35em 0.75em; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><a class="" href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/pacific-science-center" key="psc" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER <span class="nav-or c0" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #ce0033; display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">OR</span></a> <br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><a class="" href="http://www.citypass.com/seattle/museum-flight" key="mof" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About a month before our trip I started hanging up pictures of places we were going to go. When I put up the space needle, Hunter wanted NOTHING to do with it. Every time I told him that we were going to go the top, he said he was too scared! I was worried about how he was going to react once we got there. He is definitely my strong willed child, and once he makes up his mind about something, he stays pretty solid. So, once we got there and we were driving to the city from the airport, and the skyline of all the skyscrapers, stadiums, and space needle unfolded, he got SO excited to go see the space needle! Now, he won't stop talking about it!! haha In the picture below, he's "acting" like the space needle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On top of the needle, they had this app that you could use where you hold your camera over a certain spot, and a picture pops up. We had a lot of fun with that. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter, acting like a space needle, can you tell? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These spiders were the HIT of the trip! Hunter had to point them out to EVERYONE standing on the observation deck. It was funny, but a little embarrassing, because he was a little intense about it. haha They were really neat to see. The look 3D. Even after we got to the bottom, he wanted to look at the pictures on my phone to show everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On to the EMP (Experience Music Project) museum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">This was a lot of fun! Of course I loved it! A lot of interesting exhibits and fun hands on activities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The famous gum wall at Pike Place! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">We all put on our own piece. And in case you were wondering where Cade has been, he's been hanging out! I carried him like this, almost the whole time. It was easier than having a stroller, but after hours, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">my back was a little sore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SCIENCE MUSEUM</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This was a GREAT museum for kids! There was so much for Hunter to do! There was even a section for Cade's age. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We loved it! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FOxam7UOSWNJO0fUnnG9sKeLF7vX6giq122zyC4vIP5Q8oavgg3XgvMGT37KWhghe4kK7BE3CYeKi4gf5CULdodAe7B9JbpQvK1cukRr7E1DXQQhBXKWLziPcakTyg_xWTsJKCOXJg/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FOxam7UOSWNJO0fUnnG9sKeLF7vX6giq122zyC4vIP5Q8oavgg3XgvMGT37KWhghe4kK7BE3CYeKi4gf5CULdodAe7B9JbpQvK1cukRr7E1DXQQhBXKWLziPcakTyg_xWTsJKCOXJg/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVING this little crabs! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were taking so many pictures, Cade caught on to saying "Cheeeeese". This is his "cheese" face. haha </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The butterfly room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of a giant guitar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFDby6j2CbG2HPvT3XxBwgO9EjBmNRifhTyA-46dj0UO0zqYa1_X5Rrh1LlBkEYAqBlbeSrA0sCVeE9-4L13-an4fK4Sn2oxxAVmADELD2G3_desvw9m0O8yQa-Edr3N5DRCHflV3ZVc/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFDby6j2CbG2HPvT3XxBwgO9EjBmNRifhTyA-46dj0UO0zqYa1_X5Rrh1LlBkEYAqBlbeSrA0sCVeE9-4L13-an4fK4Sn2oxxAVmADELD2G3_desvw9m0O8yQa-Edr3N5DRCHflV3ZVc/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter got a kick out of the giant bug section. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzJrGyrdjcuQ9VNyrnzz0628XoUTaS6vA-goF5heRXrzaqJ5GpQA-SOalbkzoWkIN2nNGgDz7OD63T_qZ-cCbq8XrSrarmLqIVWPUSgO0IhvY_DQ_MBN7lqMIFNedlKCDFhdjK0Bi-qk/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzJrGyrdjcuQ9VNyrnzz0628XoUTaS6vA-goF5heRXrzaqJ5GpQA-SOalbkzoWkIN2nNGgDz7OD63T_qZ-cCbq8XrSrarmLqIVWPUSgO0IhvY_DQ_MBN7lqMIFNedlKCDFhdjK0Bi-qk/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, there's Cade! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtMqQr7Otb5fV38V7ceM6uad7E1DyP9AqZBrgvW9FkYD2K9RG1pkAJWyysTdZpwC_hRtTaj-ueGTBqMyZmRaxSE43vVCZc_f1nLAG19BMS5rK_S8fFhEACPfMYQ8ZZG96JKzGmZp2k5Y/s1600/IMG_4558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtMqQr7Otb5fV38V7ceM6uad7E1DyP9AqZBrgvW9FkYD2K9RG1pkAJWyysTdZpwC_hRtTaj-ueGTBqMyZmRaxSE43vVCZc_f1nLAG19BMS5rK_S8fFhEACPfMYQ8ZZG96JKzGmZp2k5Y/s1600/IMG_4558.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost everywhere I travel, I take a picture like this. It was fun to see my little guys feet in the picture. He's at such a fun age right now. He made the trip 100 times more exciting! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxy2b1sMm0uNAp78Lq4XT5y1JDha1Yndzj8YF0ehLK-yH_ehA9AYPepq7gXovxdCkJgRsURvtAWWk9q1rOvPNCX6yEDw0W63agmZxS-k1bwDIRtxYcs0gXFs8sfvZWxJAsnZx_n6IXm4/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxy2b1sMm0uNAp78Lq4XT5y1JDha1Yndzj8YF0ehLK-yH_ehA9AYPepq7gXovxdCkJgRsURvtAWWk9q1rOvPNCX6yEDw0W63agmZxS-k1bwDIRtxYcs0gXFs8sfvZWxJAsnZx_n6IXm4/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Space Needle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> MUKILTEO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Seattle is the land of airplanes (Boeing, to be specific) there were flight museums everywhere, and then of course the HUGE Boeing factory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">We ended up going out to one of the museums near my Uncle's home and on the way we passed a sign that said "Lighthouse Festival". Whenever I travel, I try to do something that the locals would do, and what better than a local city event. As you can see, it is absolutely beautiful there! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLuHt7SgRf2KeCye4lmKG_AIr8Wl_OOvcB122tBys4FgGA2HcK-xinQbH0jehBsEIiCxks-mgSUtu0zCm79FJ-oZhFyCA3gbEWSgCenJd-E6cAaa63Hw8ooRr4TZhgyKiP0_vptzq43Q/s1600/IMG_4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLuHt7SgRf2KeCye4lmKG_AIr8Wl_OOvcB122tBys4FgGA2HcK-xinQbH0jehBsEIiCxks-mgSUtu0zCm79FJ-oZhFyCA3gbEWSgCenJd-E6cAaa63Hw8ooRr4TZhgyKiP0_vptzq43Q/s1600/IMG_4514.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9dKX04HbrmBeD60zdbRVnvIcSp2YF5yV-SzSJHciy1VeqsBNo1JUzO4jKg6Xp7g5x6DbsYHsvUlD-S8R5LAY8pJSE790QzI9IB_b_s2fEWC49B0etiFjkd_bfLLb3aWwaUVtMX7jHt0/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9dKX04HbrmBeD60zdbRVnvIcSp2YF5yV-SzSJHciy1VeqsBNo1JUzO4jKg6Xp7g5x6DbsYHsvUlD-S8R5LAY8pJSE790QzI9IB_b_s2fEWC49B0etiFjkd_bfLLb3aWwaUVtMX7jHt0/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU0Y05uJ8RMi4oxcpDuA_tovCSltrPgsQd9BaJJ1LQc75FG21ZeCvyXew_9X04Lf1k0MPE1BY5fj8W_qYrIw-FFaGg8XnL1eKKjt3Mf61AU5n2-B83ZYkvsqIHMbdkR2998T6P8QeGjg/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU0Y05uJ8RMi4oxcpDuA_tovCSltrPgsQd9BaJJ1LQc75FG21ZeCvyXew_9X04Lf1k0MPE1BY5fj8W_qYrIw-FFaGg8XnL1eKKjt3Mf61AU5n2-B83ZYkvsqIHMbdkR2998T6P8QeGjg/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one of the many flight museums. They had a lot of WWII planes.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yv78cO47dokuP8yAKIeidUYkphg1X-NbYkH8QL0gFK8ti9DBQUFysg66g_1bwYfRGFqNvXuCVk2lX0WkCacYMVACD3lIFA4v2FCgJb1sh-iZOaoX5dkwg1tKcakgn7SkskS_rLXERyQ/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yv78cO47dokuP8yAKIeidUYkphg1X-NbYkH8QL0gFK8ti9DBQUFysg66g_1bwYfRGFqNvXuCVk2lX0WkCacYMVACD3lIFA4v2FCgJb1sh-iZOaoX5dkwg1tKcakgn7SkskS_rLXERyQ/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our few family pictures from the trip. As you can tell, I'm usually the one holding the camera haha </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Before we left Seattle, we had to do a few things. Take pictures with family, and throw away some items that were weighing down our luggage (and in a sense, our lives! haha) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">My Oma was staying with my Uncle at the time, so it was great to see her! She loved seeing the boys. Hunter enjoyed playing with Glenn's son Coby, and it was the perfect place to stay before we headed up to Vancouver. It was a gorgeous town, close to everything, and it made me want to move there! My Uncle works for Boeing, so it was interesting to hear about the ins and outs of the factory. Also, while we were there, my Oma took such good care of us! Did our laundry, cleaned up for us, and the best part, fed us. Her food reminds me of my childhood. It was so great to be there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Lastly, Michael was in the midst of his three final classes to finish his degree in Criminal Justice. Holy cow...it wasn't fun to try and keep the boys busy all by myself, while he worked on homework, but what a relief it was, when he was finally DONE! When he told me that we could throw away his books before we left, I was overjoyed! I can't believe he's done! I'm so incredibly proud of him! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodbye Seattle, hello Vancouver! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">It was SO tiring to get to Vancouver, packing up, staying in a hotel, taking our rental car back at 6am, taking a taxi and then catching a train at 7:20am. And then, we got to Vancouver, we had to go through customs, and it took FOREVER! The line was long, we were hauling our luggage, and the boys were restless. We were pretty happy once it was over! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">The train ride was pretty nice. It was a great view, and at least we didn't have to drive! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our window on the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter RARELY takes naps (maybe once every 6 months, and that's because we are driving), but being that we had already done a few days of traveling, and had an extra early morning, when we got to Vancouver and had lunch, he literally laid down on his Daddy's lap and fell asleep! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeYxO972EvfFS1XqZcxKf72xjgEdYBD2ezQaV4MB5FUc8DOv6W0VSv-H0pSiwiAQFB_FT4meOuGMXiHWs8XA3invIBaEn-5wxxbkdpF2glAiM7rXqL6vTZSMRnRV4n3TALl5q2YL1D0s/s1600/IMG_0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeYxO972EvfFS1XqZcxKf72xjgEdYBD2ezQaV4MB5FUc8DOv6W0VSv-H0pSiwiAQFB_FT4meOuGMXiHWs8XA3invIBaEn-5wxxbkdpF2glAiM7rXqL6vTZSMRnRV4n3TALl5q2YL1D0s/s1600/IMG_0834.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, being that we were in another city right on the water, what better than sushi! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rmmFQMibb8KP5S7MYsXlL5XECv84lHNFPYBoDDZfkcHEiThr_dVFte5_Glw7RS2sobpDqs7uFeomwPOOb1OdZHZPUFaZh-GnTW8Ynea7iTBOLLrm6vfTh_MVEjMHkk6GMrdMtkhOWt4/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rmmFQMibb8KP5S7MYsXlL5XECv84lHNFPYBoDDZfkcHEiThr_dVFte5_Glw7RS2sobpDqs7uFeomwPOOb1OdZHZPUFaZh-GnTW8Ynea7iTBOLLrm6vfTh_MVEjMHkk6GMrdMtkhOWt4/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Vancouver was pretty. We walked around the city a little bit, but we wanted to get some rest so were ready for Mickey's Boat! (which is what Hunter called it) We relaxed in the hotel most of the time, and we were barely there for 24 hours. It would be fun to go back and explore a little more, but that will have to wait until another trip. A lot of the Disney cruises disembark from Vancouver, so I'm sure we will be back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Hopping from place to place, and exploring is a lot of fun! We were happy to visit with family, and also tour around. It was the best of both worlds. I also enjoyed visiting the suburbs. I LOVE cities, but there's something about smaller towns that are exciting. The people there were all so nice, it everything was so clean and green! Like I said before, Hunter made everything so exciting. Watching a child go on an adventure is one of the best things in life! We had a great start to our trip, and we were even more excited for the second half! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">I have TONS of pictures from the boat, and I have SO much to say about it, so it's going to have to wait until another day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So...to be continued!</span></div>
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Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-57592240233599139532014-05-24T15:37:00.000-07:002014-05-24T15:37:32.586-07:00Hunter's First Year of Preschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a difference a school year makes!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This little guy has grown by leaps and bounds!</span> Before he started school, I struggled to make a list of approximately 50 words (if that) that he would say on his own without being prompted to repeat. He could barely put two words together, didn't verbalize anything, (he sang a lot), wouldn't answer your questions, wouldn't tell you if he liked or wanted something, and worst of all, you couldn't really carry on any type of conversation. It was tough...I wondered why he wouldn't talk, and there's not really an answer, except that he wanted to do it on his own time. It's not that he's not intellectual, or slow, he just didn't feel like doing it, and how do you force a kid to talk? It's like leading a horse to water, but you can't force him to drink.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>He's had about 7 months of speech therapy, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>and it has helped him SO much! </b></span></div>
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They started out with him just making the right sounds, "S" "F" etc. and then made words from their and he just took off. At first it was hard to see the progress, and sometimes we were discouraged when we couldn't understand him, but looking back, we just had to be patient.<br />
<br />
I hoped that the <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>peer interaction, great teachers, plus two sessions of speech therapy a week would help</b></span>, and it has! Not only has it helped, but he LOVED going to school, and by the end of the school year, he was asking for Mrs. Julie (his speech therapist) and every time he passed by a school he asked if she was there.<br />
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He's pretty much the exact opposite of how he was when he first started. He is still sometimes difficult to understand, and he doesn't speak very clear, <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>BUT, HE'S TALKING!</b></span> I love that he can talk with someone on the phone now, or when he's with family, he'll be a little chatterbox and tell them about all kinds of stuff. It's not in perfect sentences, and he mainly uses words that he knows, but it is night and day. I love that I can now talk to my little boy, that he asks me questions like, "What's that?" "What are you doing?" "What happened" "Are you all right" etc. and that he'll tell me what he likes and wants. I'm SO grateful for this school year!<br />
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Check out the little questionnaire activity they did for the end of the year...I'm not sure where he got eating chicken, because he doesn't ever eat it (I would say hamburgers, pizza, sushi and salad are his favorites) but I just loved that he answered the questions! <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Do you see that his favorite subject is being with his teacher?</b></span> haha He's so sweet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He cried for all of the other songs, but he LOVED the Speckled Frog Song so he got up and joined the class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His little pal Chloe! Mrs. Caroline's daughter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>It's now time for Summer! </b></span></div>
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We don't have too much planned, because we've got Cade's (and Hunter's) first birthday party, Janelle's wedding, and then our big vacation at the beginning of September, but I plan on taking weekly trips to the library, going to the park, spending time with family, just having fun and enjoying our schedule! (I'm looking forward to not having to run him around everywhere!) Here's to a fun Summer!<br />
<br />Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-43208239684301091922014-03-01T05:33:00.001-08:002014-03-01T05:33:32.873-08:00February<p dir="ltr">As this month comes to an end, I find it difficult to take down my Turner Syndrome Awareness ribbon. It is all so bittersweet. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Just this past week, two people have had this strong impression that Cade is a very special spirit. I told both of them that I know it is because of his sister. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I also had an experience, without giving away too much detail, that someone was touched by Elle's very short, but special life. I was in awe, as I don't know the person very well, but it made me feel closer to her. It was probably one of the greatest blessings that I will receive.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This year, I got a precious, little, gold flower charm to always remind me of her, pink flowers from my loving husband, and many words of love and comfort from friends. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I appreciated those who remembered her, and thought about and prayed for me. I really didn't expect the day to be so hard, (last year I was pregnant with Cade, so that made all the difference) but I seriously felt like I couldn't stop crying. But what I found amazing, was the feeling I had when I woke up...I felt your prayers. I truly did. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It was like a new found peace was awakened with the sunrise of the new day. How grateful I was to find peace.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This morning, as I scroll through my news feed, I see many beautiful pictures of rainbows. How fitting was it that my feelings of the day were very much reflected by the rain and rainbows. <br>
Cade is my rainbow baby. And although Elle was my rain storm, she was very much needed, and was followed by wonders, and little miracles.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank you, again, for your love and prayers.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Goodbye February. Until we meet again...</p>
Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-61184042188565724692014-01-31T08:06:00.001-08:002014-01-31T08:06:55.237-08:00Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Piano/Cello Cover) - ThePianoGuys<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QgaTQ5-XfMM" width="480"></iframe>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-14162596258015005142014-01-31T07:48:00.001-08:002014-01-31T08:06:38.006-08:00Two years ago<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two years ago today...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can honestly say that today, and the next 24 hours were the longest seconds, minutes, and hours of my entire life...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember watching the clock, and seeing every minute go by, as I anxiously waited for my appointment. It was in the two o' clock hour. It was torture. I knew, very well, that today could be the day that I would have to say goodbye to my little girl. I carried her for 154 days...for 154 days, I had a little piece of Heaven inside of me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought last year was difficult. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year, I think about how she would be 2 years old. I think about the pretty dresses that she would be wearing, how I would be painting her nails, singing songs together, cuddling...the list could go on, and I ask myself, why? Why do I think about this and feel the pain of a broken heart. Of course, it's much worse this time of year, I don't think I'm this weepy all year long, but there are definitely things that make it worse, like thinking about how she would be at family members weddings...Christmas...having a birthday party, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Her song.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My song for Elle is "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri. Whenever I hear it, I think about her. "I have loved you for a thousand years, and I will love you for a thousand more...how to be brave, how can I love when I'm afraid...<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I have died every day </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">waiting for you..."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About two weeks ago Hunter and I went to Disneyland. I turned on the radio, and this song came on. I started to cry, but quickly changed it as I didn't want to have a cry fest at that moment in time. On the way home from Disneyland I turned on the radio, and her song was there...again. I thought, "Are you serious!?" Then I really started crying, and I decided to turn on Pandora and listen to some church music. I thought, I should be safe listening to some hymns and I really need some peace right now. One song goes by, and then The Piano Guys come on...playing "A Thousand Years".</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbT1YQ6jChwkfxDUww45B019sEQFl_Y7nvdR50vfLklO-fWMvb1-Th70sMK594Q4NUmDDDqsna5oIbMITezgbcgpSQUw8C3jqQBmYX2nizJlicPCtET0VfN906PQmPWpvtsOeWS5SeI4/s1600/IMG_2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbT1YQ6jChwkfxDUww45B019sEQFl_Y7nvdR50vfLklO-fWMvb1-Th70sMK594Q4NUmDDDqsna5oIbMITezgbcgpSQUw8C3jqQBmYX2nizJlicPCtET0VfN906PQmPWpvtsOeWS5SeI4/s1600/IMG_2784.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I laughed, and I pondered about Elle. And I cried too, of course. I knew she wanted me to know that she was there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I remember...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I look back, I remember the Doctor telling me that soon her heart would fail, and all I could do was wait, I remember watching her on the ultrasound, I remember the last ultrasound when her heart beat was no longer there, I remember the horrible 20 plus hours in the hospital and all the pain I experienced going through labor and also having a very broken heart, I remember physically feeling empty after I delivered her, I remember the weight of her body in my arms...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember laying in the hospital bed watching Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives over and over, and then they literally started repeating the episodes after a few hours...it was the only thing on besides infomercials. I can't watch that show anymore. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember listening to the LDS hymns on Pandora as I waited and waited for my body to go into labor. How grateful I was for that music...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember being grateful that she was now a perfect angel in Heaven, I remember Michael holding my hand through everything, I remember Melissa, Breanna, and Julie being the best friends that I could ask for, I remember my Mom, Mother and Father in law being there to hold her little body, I remember my nurse and Doctor having more compassion than could I have imagined, and for the visitors who came to see me in the hospital, Brother and Sister Gonzales, my Aunt Cheryl, and Julie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember all the messages I received, and was grateful for each and every one, and also learning a lot about people and how they react to friends going through trials. I remember the little miracles, and tender mercies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Two years ago my life changed. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will never be the same. I'm more emotional, I try to be much more compassionate, I feel like something is always missing, when I have bad days, they are pretty bad, but my joy has surpassed all expectations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love my boys. I know that because of Elle, I love them more, and I am a better Mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Michael and I have grown together. We have these memories, and although some of them truly haunt me, the sacred ones are between us, and only us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to figure out how to live this different life has been quite a journey, but I know that I have found some peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will forever be in debt to those who showed me love, compassion, and also those who prayed for me. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart and soul. I have felt your prayers, and love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely, Rosalie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-76901980987934272932013-11-29T11:03:00.002-08:002013-11-29T11:03:43.572-08:00CA Coast Family Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some highlights of our CA coast trip!! We had SO much fun! I LOVED being together as a family, and just hanging out. We haven't been able to do that in a long time, so it was long over due. We fit a lot into five short days (two of them spent mostly driving), and it was my first time going up the coast. I've been to San Fransisco a few times, but we have never taken the scenic route, so I thoroughly enjoyed the new sights and adventures. I also gained a new love and appreciation for the beauty of CA. I really do think our states is one of the prettiest, with the coast, mountains, lakes, forests, and so much more! (Oh...Disneyland haha but I'm mainly just talking about natural beauty) So here's our fun, little family, enjoying our CA Coast vacation! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ps. The weather was GORGEOUS! I thought it was going to be cold, but it was SO nice. I just needed a light jacket for nights.</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">San Luis Obispo</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avila Valley Barn</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avila Beach</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monterey Aquarium</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">17 Mile Drive</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big Sur</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">San Simeon Elephant Seals</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hearst Castle</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrWuUklphd9OmB4WIC1SlDTDpmBy3b2bkhaVZOz5ksrWcUbYJG-RnSVkwvTNcjQ6fFNuvFsg8vEbi0MebX7RrkDwvGO-MNyQBANqlKyTEgIK4X_xU_9dyYph9T87REzW4kfO4_0orJ84/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrWuUklphd9OmB4WIC1SlDTDpmBy3b2bkhaVZOz5ksrWcUbYJG-RnSVkwvTNcjQ6fFNuvFsg8vEbi0MebX7RrkDwvGO-MNyQBANqlKyTEgIK4X_xU_9dyYph9T87REzW4kfO4_0orJ84/s640/IMG_3415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We made it to the coast, Ventura, just in time for the sunset! It was gorgeous! Our vacation had finally begun!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4933252127786159&w=259&h=181&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4933252127786159&w=259&h=181&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" style="height: 181px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Being that we got a later start than planned, we didn't make it to Solvang until about 6pm. If you're planning a visit, get there earlier in the day!! The town looked SO cute and I really wish we could have walked around and what not, but most everything was closed. I definitely want to go again to experience everything. PS. We ate at the Viking Restaurant because it was one of the only places that was open...it wasn't terrible, but let's just say that if somewhere else is open, I would try to go there instead. </span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>AVILA VALLEY BARN</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>San Luis Obispo</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkez8g1cH51iSI_Iu8sSFo02vds0txM9cCYlKBc6rH_GjU0Mlq6xi-tFZgkzKAugNPvPqwf_qM8gPJmWuCqp6l8_nr_u48KgmcB65tzBXbFGhTI7rP6SMSnGtF0vzmxuC_yeSNJYVS0U/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkez8g1cH51iSI_Iu8sSFo02vds0txM9cCYlKBc6rH_GjU0Mlq6xi-tFZgkzKAugNPvPqwf_qM8gPJmWuCqp6l8_nr_u48KgmcB65tzBXbFGhTI7rP6SMSnGtF0vzmxuC_yeSNJYVS0U/s640/IMG_3422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's Hunter, feeding his obsession with pumpkins. At one point, he was hugging all of them. Haha </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUMc4jVrtHdJWuRj2TgxPEaXIpR9vm7eRvyK9aR1KATbL3CCCDcxm2cIUMJRK0aQW1j6kCzcFmMm7lCzhBpEoJvbFQ19dGs6L7ufySiu8SUxP5CjItzJATo38drJ_7msTQmDxz-u-PuQ/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUMc4jVrtHdJWuRj2TgxPEaXIpR9vm7eRvyK9aR1KATbL3CCCDcxm2cIUMJRK0aQW1j6kCzcFmMm7lCzhBpEoJvbFQ19dGs6L7ufySiu8SUxP5CjItzJATo38drJ_7msTQmDxz-u-PuQ/s320/IMG_3425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here was the best part about the Barn, feeding the animals!! <br />There were turkeys, goats, alpacas, horses, mini horses, donkeys, chickens, roosters, and sheep</span>. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_3dACB9UkYUrXgMwkPFZhsmpLtiWVGOfHt6rBFlNGe4NlHAGqq86Cgg_qPKcFWnWpl0-zX9RBADhjLvykXUkas1tPQBCBLJ3b1mq0ocSgZQ-ECZsy_toKBL_GMiHmpOCs0XIrJEL-FY/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_3dACB9UkYUrXgMwkPFZhsmpLtiWVGOfHt6rBFlNGe4NlHAGqq86Cgg_qPKcFWnWpl0-zX9RBADhjLvykXUkas1tPQBCBLJ3b1mq0ocSgZQ-ECZsy_toKBL_GMiHmpOCs0XIrJEL-FY/s400/IMG_3435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love Hunter's reaction in these next pictures! He got a big kick from feeding the horses! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_bUkBck3cDVvLRYgQPQ1FUkQDyqMIpPqOZiwh29BKgcRC0aF1eYRZIyrj0bcwPHr5hKAEV4Cebcg6BiL4hPd_WTPXZ4lDjl0lHVzvZfcC2S6JfnMCd17Yg-82UD8b5mbBQcv0bXc8ow/s1600/IMG_3454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_bUkBck3cDVvLRYgQPQ1FUkQDyqMIpPqOZiwh29BKgcRC0aF1eYRZIyrj0bcwPHr5hKAEV4Cebcg6BiL4hPd_WTPXZ4lDjl0lHVzvZfcC2S6JfnMCd17Yg-82UD8b5mbBQcv0bXc8ow/s320/IMG_3454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cade had a great time at the barn! ha</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yay for hay rides! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dF1pyoqf-r0QX6jNWN7g4xd25PmmHb9LQn5R8EW5r0TnUKNe4HeRDxpWQRWo57td0E_qbiy3gq_vRpGZ2Pvd3vet41dAf4zw0xuxnFtqI6N7auXN38xvPHBgYRSByCmTxPLzb7TCTTg/s1600/IMG_3476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dF1pyoqf-r0QX6jNWN7g4xd25PmmHb9LQn5R8EW5r0TnUKNe4HeRDxpWQRWo57td0E_qbiy3gq_vRpGZ2Pvd3vet41dAf4zw0xuxnFtqI6N7auXN38xvPHBgYRSByCmTxPLzb7TCTTg/s400/IMG_3476.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were rows upon rows of fruit plants and trees! It would be fun to go there when fruit was in season. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWy2VdtXO5aeZT7bVGYpLq-3brIvAf3ETJeZYb48ITRzLWYWOGjKeNdJR4evmR-i-vDJbQVGzwsL58ECbZ-31coC-7_-2NYrKiMcuQDUQkBuAnFv9JDQwngG-KM-bhBTymlxZ5_7iZV0/s1600/IMG_3509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWy2VdtXO5aeZT7bVGYpLq-3brIvAf3ETJeZYb48ITRzLWYWOGjKeNdJR4evmR-i-vDJbQVGzwsL58ECbZ-31coC-7_-2NYrKiMcuQDUQkBuAnFv9JDQwngG-KM-bhBTymlxZ5_7iZV0/s640/IMG_3509.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These two loved being around each for the whole trip! Hunter didn't have to go off to pre-school, or the sitters, or anything. It was fun having them together with no interruptions. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">AVILA BEACH</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnf60hr2ay4UJwpMWLhsXxIpuNMDEcSUNy88C6cRKCJv2PZRiLPtPnmXWLQZpz9GMIVUtVIwoyfXVCQv-_3ViKUyBEdHROaXv3d3ic8mBlsnuGMywKdSJNcUdAAIlClK4_ignHsXwmdQ/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnf60hr2ay4UJwpMWLhsXxIpuNMDEcSUNy88C6cRKCJv2PZRiLPtPnmXWLQZpz9GMIVUtVIwoyfXVCQv-_3ViKUyBEdHROaXv3d3ic8mBlsnuGMywKdSJNcUdAAIlClK4_ignHsXwmdQ/s640/IMG_3511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju20lL7RQ4uSGPapAy4g4N2qRG_MHxMoRVaL4ibLZVf9RiFn8W7D9B36wPGND6TJ0AX7oPPMxsJhcLDPfCIj_kfo3pLfiTm873e7vcPPv_90K3D_c3vA94lfTXu1P3J8renY6qToqCnN0/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju20lL7RQ4uSGPapAy4g4N2qRG_MHxMoRVaL4ibLZVf9RiFn8W7D9B36wPGND6TJ0AX7oPPMxsJhcLDPfCIj_kfo3pLfiTm873e7vcPPv_90K3D_c3vA94lfTXu1P3J8renY6qToqCnN0/s640/IMG_3527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hunter LOVES LOVES LOVES the beach. He could play in the sand and water all day. The water was cold, so we obviously didn't go in, but it was still a lot of fun.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Before we headed out of SLO, we ate at the famous Madonna Inn. It was delicious! They are famous for their cakes. We took a piece of toffee cake to go...it was pretty much one of the best cakes I've ever had! Oh, and Janelle and I split the Monte Cristo Sandwich. It was really good, but if you've had Disneyland's MC's, try something else, because Disneyland's are better. (;</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4859082374449347&w=261&h=181&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4859082374449347&w=261&h=181&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" style="height: 181px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I didn't take this picture, but I wanted to show you how the roads looked driving from San Luis Obispo to Monterey. We took the 101 instead of the CA 1, and I loved seeing vineyard after vineyard. They weren't green like in this picture that I found on Google images, but they were still neat to see. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The aquarium was a lot of fun. Hunter has a natural love for ocean animals, so he was in Heaven. It was big, had a lot of kid areas, and at our hotel, we were able to get a two day pass for the price of one day, so we were able to split the aquarium into two different days.</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIMZpX6GOzWniQqu8BWter7EER0dUZxqnfgf3Ih54EB1p2Plwi7WG-l78WF0W_sHIxklkrXYqLywGtEVJG_3sQUGUtCExr1i5ugDorH6b9AVrgZK9zLEo1Vdwkna3vCC1WDCfZahnv6o/s1600/IMG_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIMZpX6GOzWniQqu8BWter7EER0dUZxqnfgf3Ih54EB1p2Plwi7WG-l78WF0W_sHIxklkrXYqLywGtEVJG_3sQUGUtCExr1i5ugDorH6b9AVrgZK9zLEo1Vdwkna3vCC1WDCfZahnv6o/s320/IMG_3633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think Hunter enjoyed the jelly fish the most, hence the reason why he is hugging the jelly fish tank. haha </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MONTEREY EATS</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="259" src="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4973057900807701&w=206&h=167&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" style="height: 167px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bubba Gumps in Monterey is the 8th Bubba Gumps we've been to. It's kind of our tradition to go to Bubba Gumps if there is ever one around. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Crystal Fish Sushi<br />A sushi place that was recommended to us from a local. It was good, decent prices, and how could we go to a coastal city and not have any fish.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.5056431829419156&w=180&h=176&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.5056431829419156&w=180&h=176&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" style="height: 176px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best steakhouses we have ever been to! We LOVE our steakhouses, and this one was top notch. They even brought you the different cuts of meat to tell you about them. It was pretty awesome, and what was even better was that Aunt Jay Jay stayed at the hotel with Hunter so we were able to enjoy it, (well, the best we can...haha we still had our sweet little Cade) By the way, their clam chowder was one of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this place. It was pricy, but was worth it.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">17 MILE DRIVE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This drive is a must if you ever go to Monterey. It is absolutely gorgeous there! There are a lot of places to get out and walk around. We stopped in this place and we found a large crab. Hunter was really excited about that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BIG SUR</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L<span style="font-size: small;">ook at this view...It was absolutely breathtaking. Big Sur was about a half hour-45 minute drive, depending on where you go, but this specific area was about a half hour from our hotel. It was a lot of fun to drive </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Highway 1. At first we planned to go on a hike, one from this site: </span>http://www.hikinginbigsur.com, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but most of the areas were at least a hour drive South from Monterey, so they were too far drive being that we had more to do in Monterey, but I'm glad we found the spot where we stopped because it was a lot of fun to once again just run on the beach and enjoy the beautiful view. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He could do this ALL day if we let him! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2P3OLtoc-SVFnszuk_hCJlW0IwlPqKtO9EXFXnzBEuAMIlW2D8146lAd4qjAEIz54yiJxaOF-r2ucjYCw2pGtOqUY5TwLk0xGUrOH1m7nwwS02moO3fyhZayxDzLnWYnSXEwSi0sMZY/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2P3OLtoc-SVFnszuk_hCJlW0IwlPqKtO9EXFXnzBEuAMIlW2D8146lAd4qjAEIz54yiJxaOF-r2ucjYCw2pGtOqUY5TwLk0xGUrOH1m7nwwS02moO3fyhZayxDzLnWYnSXEwSi0sMZY/s400/IMG_3581.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCrtlOsVFbgcdjlQdPI2yPuaCWcMHuoDAJQOw3GAWVOtCcnSJD0S0qwjwQOVPjEnkADAbDOLBJGaSXxi3Ef-oKLvnznI2QufFcxAPPpSBvshvtMwowNVltv5V8whOhuLSoUKxrRHQjew/s1600/IMG_3599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCrtlOsVFbgcdjlQdPI2yPuaCWcMHuoDAJQOw3GAWVOtCcnSJD0S0qwjwQOVPjEnkADAbDOLBJGaSXxi3Ef-oKLvnznI2QufFcxAPPpSBvshvtMwowNVltv5V8whOhuLSoUKxrRHQjew/s640/IMG_3599.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">They sure do love each other...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time at the beach. He kept trying to eat the sand! haha </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtoPhRkrPSKiiEnDGbaxebW26-vxzfhjuDmmZ4_9vHECZyQHa9zJZuW-wZT38ZC-Yl__FKC-JSNnhy-KMRROwwIuYoODEcL78bLCUswk6KwlkKBKtaE8H7h9fABpPMpU5BOFepNQNLYk/s1600/IMG_3574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtoPhRkrPSKiiEnDGbaxebW26-vxzfhjuDmmZ4_9vHECZyQHa9zJZuW-wZT38ZC-Yl__FKC-JSNnhy-KMRROwwIuYoODEcL78bLCUswk6KwlkKBKtaE8H7h9fABpPMpU5BOFepNQNLYk/s400/IMG_3574.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loving Aunt Jay Jay time.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMtoWUKrMvCs9955X5ZkbdPEB5R4_HxpwIiQFo_mbxpDUJOUCZHugepvjU4XEAE_sBbgVne3ObpItCYwL9ny5HDvrGoc6e5mjCaEYIX2tX_Fp4D8_PI_Gya95XKg1z10U5drmJszi6Q8/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMtoWUKrMvCs9955X5ZkbdPEB5R4_HxpwIiQFo_mbxpDUJOUCZHugepvjU4XEAE_sBbgVne3ObpItCYwL9ny5HDvrGoc6e5mjCaEYIX2tX_Fp4D8_PI_Gya95XKg1z10U5drmJszi6Q8/s640/IMG_3636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Elephant Seals and Hearst Castle</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">San Simeon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On our drive home, we stopped by the elephant seals, and also did a tour at Hearst Castle. Once again, Aunt Jay Jay was a big help and went to the beach with Hunter while we took a tour. I don't think Hunter would have lasted, it was a lot of just talking and walking, and no touching...with is a little difficult for three year olds. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elephant Seals at San Simeon. They come here and just hang out (and breed, and have their pups during a certain time of year). You can't touch them, but there's is a little pathway to walk on and you can see them. They were pretty fascinating to watch!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cute little smile <span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: pointer;">quintessentially describes the character of this sweet little boy. He is SO happy and loves, loves, loves to smile at others. He was the best little trooper on the trip, and he just went along with the flow pretty much the whole time. Near the end, you can tell he was probably getting a little home sick, but he was still happy as a little clam. </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-pUf4VHlkpmdx8KRdxDzxk_vqJth_YWXHxKnsWpb6ihdmIAaXhXzjx17gZnFvIVMw1WPH9frgyeY0yFpfmTtN4BFlxOeUyvkWa8kSsIsxYEYD4SiGBT1jB6X_udet7lGQxUz5ZZo4ps/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-pUf4VHlkpmdx8KRdxDzxk_vqJth_YWXHxKnsWpb6ihdmIAaXhXzjx17gZnFvIVMw1WPH9frgyeY0yFpfmTtN4BFlxOeUyvkWa8kSsIsxYEYD4SiGBT1jB6X_udet7lGQxUz5ZZo4ps/s400/IMG_3652.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is what we call his cabbage patch face! haha </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took the Cottages and the kitchen tour, partly because it was the next one leaving, and we still had about a five hour drive home. I liked the tour. We didn't get to see the grand rooms inside the big part of it, but it was still really neat. You get to walk around the gardens and pools no matter what tour you take, so that was kind of nice. We also had lunch here, and although I don't like to eat at touristy places because it's usually over priced and not very good, but eating here was the right choice. This site is not only where he built his castle, but also has a live, working, very enormous, cattle ranch. We had cheeseburgers from the cattle that were there on the ranch, and they were pretty delicious! </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WHERE WE STAYED</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly! Here are the hotels where we stayed. I was VERY happy with them. You know, it's always a gamble when booking a hotel. You never know if it's going to be in an odd location, or smelly, or beds are uncomfortable, etc. I always read the reviews, but I usually go with the ones that are a little cheaper with decent reviews. I'm not looking for a 5 star hotel...it's not like you spend too much time there anyway, and I'm all about cheaper hotels, so we have more money to spend on the adventures! </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we stayed one night in San Luis, just to break up our drive, and I just got a cheap one because we were literally just staying the night and then driving once we got up. I was pretty pleased, and it was pretty close to attractions. The rooms were clean, kind of small, but perfect for one night. They have a pretty fancy spa and pool too. I would stay here again. </span><br /></td></tr>
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<img class="mainImage" height="180" src="http://aff.bstatic.com/images/hotel/max500/156/15695165.jpg" style="background-color: white; height: 454px; width: 502px;" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">1585 Calle Joaquin · San Luis Obispo</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's our hotel in Monterey, and I LOVED it! Our room was very big and spacious, and I was VERY pleased for the price we paid. It was close to everything. I think we drove more than 10 minutes to get somewhere, and it was so nice having a heated, indoor pool, especially because it would be too cold to swim outside. Oh, and there was a fireplace in our room! Loved this place, and I would definitely stay again! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="mainImage" src="http://aff.bstatic.com/images/hotel/max500/219/2194128.jpg" style="height: 300px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 426px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #404040; line-height: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1046 Munras Ave · Monterey</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that's our trip in a nutshell! I feel like we saw pretty much everything we wanted to see. We did want to go to the Winchester Mystery House, but being that it was a hour drive North and we still had stuff to do in Monterey, we made the choice to stay more local and go to Big Sur. I'm not sure I would tour around Monterey again. It was beautiful, but I think it would be good for just an overnight stop on the way to San Francisco. Or if the kids really wanted to go the aquarium again, we could do that. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED it, but it's a smaller city and I was happy with what we did! I loved the trip as a whole, the scenic drive, SLO, the beach and much more! The best part was spending the time with family and having fun together! I can't wait for our next vacation! </span><br />
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Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-79538020292116855072013-10-02T22:14:00.000-07:002013-10-02T22:19:19.012-07:00What did you just say?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For some time now, I have noticed that </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Hunter's speech wasn't exactly the greatest</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. I thought, well, he's still little, the only child, and a boy. He was always very good at somehow communicating what he wanted, so there wasn't very much frustration going on when he couldn't express himself, or wasn't being understood. I told myself that I would wait to get him as assessed, </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">hoping he would just somehow catch up. Well, that didn't happen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I knew that by the time he turned 3 years old that he could get help for free through the school district. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today he received his final assessment</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. I've been anxiously waiting for this day to come. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The other night I laid awake and cried as I felt guilt</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, wondering if there was something more that I could have done, </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">sadness</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, thinking about how this wasn't necessarily "normal" and now at 3 years old he may have to go off to school for four days a week, and </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">fear</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, worrying about whether or not he would like his speech therapist and if he would dislike going. I've tried my best to just keep it together, and I think I'm doing an okay job. There might be some of you thinking, "Oh, it's just a speech delay, what's the big deal?" Well, when you're in the same situation, let's see what you say. I got some comfort when the speech therapist told me that </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">there's not really a cause for a speech delay</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. She told me that it could be genetic, it's not anything that the parents did or didn't do, or he's just a late bloomer. It does not mean that your child isn't smart, or will be intellectually behind in school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> When I heard the words that he has a "severe" speech delay, part of me wanted to cry, and the other </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">part of me was ready to just kick this "delays" butt</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and move forward. On a good note, he scored one point too high to qualify for help with his language, so now he just needs help with his articulation. So basically, he understands language pretty well, he just doesn't really want to verbalize anything. Little stinker...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Needless to say, it's been difficult. I feel like sometimes people will try and talk to him, and find it odd that he doesn't answer back, or they will tell him to say something and he will say it in a weird way, or they see that he makes more gestures, sounds, or even sings more than he talks. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And the assessments and paperwork weren't peaches and cream</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, as they asked question after question after question. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Moms...</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">if your child is very verbal, </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">please don't count out the little ones who don't </span></b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>talk that much or not very well</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. Your going to make the Mom of that child feel like the lonely Kindergartner who doesn't have any friends and just hangs out by themselves during recess time. I think the worst thing we could do is think, "Oh, they don't talk that much, so I don't want my kid playing with them because my child talks a lot...or is already crawling and walking...or has skipped a grade...or is athletic...or is musical etc. etc." </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Every child is special, and important.</b></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b> PLEASE don't forget that!</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now it's time to brag about my sweet little guy. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">He is a smart little cookie.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He's VERY good at observing and knowing his directions. From a very young age, he was able to tell me which way to go to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house, or if we were in the vicinity of a friends house, he would know and would start asking for that friend and pointing which way to turn to get to their house. He has an amazing tonal memory. I call him my little John Williams, as he always sings the theme songs to Jaws and Jurassic Park, (his two favorite things, sharks and dinosaurs). Also, when he was younger and not talking very much at all, he would sing the tune to the theme song of the show he wanted to watch, rather than saying a characters name or the title of the show. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">His imagination is pretty up to par</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> as he makes his dinosaurs play, or transforms his hand into a shark and makes it swim and bite things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you all to know that I'm not writing this so that you aware of what is going on in Hunter's life, but I think as Mother's we try to find other's that we can relate to, or sometimes we may need some help or suggestions. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So this is mainly for all you other Mom's who are in the same boat as I am.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> We know how it feels to think that our child is somewhat behind. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love my little Hunter more than I could ever express.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The other night, he crawled in our bed, and although we were cramped, and didn't sleep very well, I was overcome with the feeling that Hunter knew that he was loved. He knows that if he crawls into bed with Mom and Dad, that they will love and cuddle him. Because his speech has been delayed, it has been very exciting to hear all the new words that he is learning. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">But my favorite words are definitely, "wuv you".</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He doesn't even say "I" or pronounce his "L", but that's his way of telling us that he loves us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">t's been a long process so far, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but I'm glad that we are making progress. I turned in my paperwork in the middle of July, and here it is October, and I still have one more meeting to go to before he starts getting his speech therapy. Being patient has not been fun, but I'm happy to finally get everything taken care of, and I keep telling myself that </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">early intervention is the best thing we can do for him</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, and so we just move forward from here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that soon we are going to be telling him to stop talking as he talks off our ears, and he will be able to fully express himself, and </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I can't wait to hear his stories</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, and what's going on in that crazy brain of his. We've already seen a BIG improvement with him going to preschool. His teacher cares SO much about him and has really helped him to talk more, and articulate his words. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We have definitely been blessed with an amazing teacher</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, hopefully his speech therapy starts soon, and I won't have to wait, and go through any more assessments, and paperwork and what not. Although this is a bummer, I am still so grateful for his health, and his strong fun loving spirit. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We have truly been blessed with an amazing little man.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun at Legoland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1c7OLLYPps9QccYl61mdv6BceI0_RWb5Wrob4xejY3GsjS7z9uPEHR6bH6UJNK8OXkXNpM0wDdMHkNhiVJt6VDosAv66_wfqEubRcwxW1Ea2Afzqt7VBYIrdHuHW8kxl3fx-ZW619tQ/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1c7OLLYPps9QccYl61mdv6BceI0_RWb5Wrob4xejY3GsjS7z9uPEHR6bH6UJNK8OXkXNpM0wDdMHkNhiVJt6VDosAv66_wfqEubRcwxW1Ea2Afzqt7VBYIrdHuHW8kxl3fx-ZW619tQ/s400/IMG_3262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He LOVES sharks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqzFNTz88gW7-nnu_p4CYhFeSL4Venigc-bKzcDoVNKina8sXRnNRKZ4SIxAKCqNXCvWvrEoCeObyjl-RZak-SuUv2u10IEoDcosxL8SEGF14eYFOEKzNEbq468e_q377qtSylUdI-S4/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqzFNTz88gW7-nnu_p4CYhFeSL4Venigc-bKzcDoVNKina8sXRnNRKZ4SIxAKCqNXCvWvrEoCeObyjl-RZak-SuUv2u10IEoDcosxL8SEGF14eYFOEKzNEbq468e_q377qtSylUdI-S4/s640/IMG_3251.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big boy, all grown up! </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-11537575518833849452013-09-20T11:40:00.000-07:002013-09-20T15:07:20.107-07:00My Sweet Cade<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know this is a little late...but here it is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cade Porter's birth story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, to be honest, <b><i>there's not much to it</i></b>. I started having contractions at 3:45am, we rushed to the hospital at about at about 5:30, I think I was checked in by about 6:00 and then he came at 6:45. No drugs, not one pain med (which meant a lot of pain) and my sweet, little, special blessing was in my arms before I could even think about what was going on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes...it was a very fast labor, <b><i>but too bad it wasn't easy</i></b>!!! haha My labor with Hunter was 14 hours so this REALLY caught me off guard. I guess he was ready to come, and that's exactly what he did! <b><i>It was a VERY intense three hours</i></b>, and all I wanted to do afterwards was just space out, and not think about or do anything for just a few minutes, just so I could mentally recover from what just happened. That was a lot of intense pain to cram into such a small amount of time! Oh, and in case you didn't know, I have a very low tolerance for pain! I did want an epidural, and when the nurse told me that I was at 7, I knew that there wasn't any hope! They couldn't even put anything in my IV because he was coming so fast. <b><i>I seriously felt traumatized afterwards</i></b>! haha I never thought it would have happened that fast, and for those of you that have gone all natural, know that the pain of pushing that baby out is insane! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So...it's a good thing there was a prize at the end of all of that pain. It was a reward that helped to mend my broken heart from the last time I was in labor. <b><i>This time, my baby cried...this time, my baby was healthy...this time, I was able to look into a face and know that he would mine to raise here on Earth. </i></b>I loved him, I held him like there was no tomorrow, and I was so incredibly grateful for this special little spirit who I know would possibly not be here if it wasn't for past events.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I've said it before, but how great is my joy because of my sorrows. When the pediatrician came in and told us that we were released to take a healthy baby home, I couldn't help but cry because of how happy I was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last 5 years have been quite the whirlwind. We waited about two and half years for Hunter to finally be here (trying to get pregnant, and then being pregnant). Recovered from that pregnancy. Got pregnant 15 months later. I was pregnant for 5 months, lost our sweet little angel. Attempted to recover physically and mentally. Got pregnant again about 7 months later, and then delivered my beautiful baby boy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I look at our little family, and my heart is full. <b><i>Finally, after many years, I feel complete </i></b>(for now). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I often think about how things would be if Elle was here. Not only about what it would be like to have a daughter, and that she would be about one year old right now, but I think about how I would have had to get pregnant right away with Cade for him to be here right now. It's a good thing I don't have to figure that out. All I have to do is trust in Heavenly Father's plan, not only for me, but for my children. <b><i>I know that Cade is supposed to be here right now.</i></b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He already brings SO much happiness to our family. I can't even put into words how special he is to me. He loves to make faces and smile at others. He likes to have attention and to be held. And most importantly, he's a happy healthy boy. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blessing Day-4 weeks old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers-3 mo. old-3 years old</td></tr>
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Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-21446803145599570332013-01-29T22:24:00.001-08:002013-01-29T22:24:19.897-08:00One year laterWell...I made it...<br />
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As I think about this last year, I mainly think about what I have learned. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: #ea9999;">I have learned that joy is SO much sweeter after you have experienced unimaginable heartbreaking sorrow.</span> </em></span><br />
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This year, I bawled my eyes out at Hunters birthday party because I appreciated him, and loved him so much more than I could have ever imagined. He has been my little, smiling, ray of sunshine on some of the hardest days of my life. I remember when he came to visit me in the hospital, even though he was as crazy as can be, he was such a happy little guy that just loved life. I never thought I could love him more than I did, but after losing Elle, it made me love him more. <br />
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When I heard the baby's heart beat for the first time, I sobbed. The melody and lyrics, "Rejoice, rejoice" kept playing my head. How grateful I was to carry another one of Heavenly Father's children, and for the strength He was giving me. It was like a joy that I have never felt before. <br />
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I have been able to compare the joy that I feel now, to the joy I felt before, and I wish I could explain it and eloquently put it into words, but all I can say is that it feels different. It feels greater, I have more gratitude for blessings in my life, and like I said, it is sweeter. <br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>I have learned that it is your choice to let a trial make you </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>or break you...</em></span><br />
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I have an immense amount of gratitude for the strength I have gained throughout my life to help me get through losing our baby. I don't know how I did it...and honestly, even though I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, I wish I didn't have to experience the heartache, but I easily and quickly remember, that there is someone else involved in this plan, and that is my husband, and more importantly, my daughter. This challenge was not about me, and although there was a lot I needed to gain from this trial, I also needed to be an instrument in the Lords hands to bring my daughter to Earth. <br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>I have learned that it's not always easy to fight the negative </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>parts of a trial...</em></span><br />
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Please know that life has not been peaches and cream...I would hate for people to think, wow, she got through that easily! I am WAY more emotional, I have let other people's actions towards me get the better of me, in some aspects I have become cynical, and even though it has become easier to sympathize, there are times when I think...oh you think that's hard? (and please know that I'm just referring to petty little things that people complain about, I'm not THAT mean ha) I'm still working through the negative affects of my trial, but I just remind myself that I'm not perfect, and at least I'm not in denial and think that everything is rainbows, lollipops and puppies.<br />
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BUT, I do know that the good has outweighed the bad. <br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>I have learned what is important...</em></span><br />
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All is can say is, there was only ONE thing that made sense throughout this whole life changing experience, and that was the gospel. Even when I didn't understand, or didn't want to, I at least knew that because of the gospel I would have my little girl forever. I was able to find peace. <br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>One year ago...</em></span><br />
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I think about this time last year...it was horrible. An absolute nightmare. Even though this time last year was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, I do know that nothing will compare to that moment when I knew that my little girl was perfect in Heaven and that she will be watching over me and be waiting for me until I get there. Even though I knew I was going to lose her, and I so badly wanted her to stay with me, I had faith that she had a plan. I have once again learned that life goes on, and that if you want everything to be okay, you'll find a way to be okay, and you'll count blessings, even if you feel like the list is really short. Just keep counting and day by day the list will grow. <br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><em>Thank you, thank you, thank you...</em></span><br />
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Lastly, I want to say thank you...I actually have some personal thanking to do. Even though, I was so incredibly grateful for support and love, it was sometimes hard for me to respond when I would get comments and messages. Well, a year has passed, so I think I'm ready! Again, thank you for prayers, thoughts, messages, and love. Even if you didn't know what to say, you still said something, and sometimes that meant more than your actual words. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I'm ready to start a new year, and celebrate my little Elle's "Angel"versaries until we meet in Heaven. <br />
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Love, Rosalie<br />
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Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-23965332714096517852012-11-18T08:29:00.003-08:002012-11-18T08:31:06.541-08:00Dearest friends and family...Well...where do I start? <br />
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I've been thinking about this day for weeks, and I guess the only way to get through it is to get to the point. <br />
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I've spent past 7 months watching others get pregnant and having healthy babies. I've seen their posts about their pregnancies, or their cute announcement pictures, and have gotten invitations to baby showers...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>needless to say, that has been difficult</em></span>. I do find happiness for them, because how can I not, being pregnant and having children is amazing, and how grateful I am for those to recieve that blessing! But...once again...it has been difficult. <br />
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When Michael and I started thinking about getting pregnant, I made a decision...<br />
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I know there are many Mothers who have struggled to get pregnant, can't bear children, have lost children, or have had many difficulties while pregnant. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>My heart aches for them</em></span>, and even if I'm not that close to them, they all have a special place in my heart. So, in honor of them, this is how I have chosen to make my announcement. Nothing cute or frilly...no creative picture, or something written on a chalkboard, or a funny little comic posted on my facebook. (And I do NOT judge those that do that...I'm just taking a different route) So, for those of you reading this, who have experienced the pain of infertility or loss, know that <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>my heart goes out to you</em></span>, and that I hope you may find peace and faith.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am currently 11 weeks and a half weeks pregnant</span>...I am so grateful to be pregnant. We have seen the heartbeat twice, and the last time we saw "baby", it was seriously dancing and wiggling around in my womb. I thought...wow...you can move like that and you barely have any limbs?! haha I was in awe by the strength it already had being only 10 weeks old...<br />
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I know that some of you are wondering and have even asked me how I feel with this pregnancy. Well, I am sad to say that when I first found out, I didn't cry tears of joy...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>I felt numb</em></span>. I felt like I couldn't be happy or sad. About a week after we found out, I went to the doctor, but the day before I spent a lot of time crying.<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em> I was scared.</em></span> The hardest part is knowing that even though I am pregnant again, it doesn't mean that I'm going to get back what I lost. I want so badly for the baby to be Elle, so I can have the chance to be her Mother here on Earth, but that is a desire that I'm going to have to live with the rest of my life...<br />
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Being at the doctors office was the hardest part. The second I got back to the exam rooms, I just started crying...it was in that very room that we found out that she had passed away, it was in his office that <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>I cried my heart out</em></span> as I talked to him about everything. I felt like it was too soon, and that we maybe should have waited...<br />
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But then, I saw the heartbeat. <br />
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In that very moment, I knew that my Heavenly Father was there. I found peace, there were tears of joy, and all I could think was, "Alright little baby...it's you and me now. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>I'll take care of you</em></span>." And I have felt like that ever since. I still have my moments, and fears, but even if something happens again, at least I will know that while I carried this child, I was able to find joy and I am so happy to once again be a Mother to one of Heavenly Fathers children. <br />
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So...here goes!! <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>I'm ready for this journey</em></span>, and I can't wait to hold this baby in my arms! Once again, thank you to everyone who has been there for me as I've gone through the loss of little baby Elle. I am forever, ever, ever grateful for you!! I know it's something that I will never truly get over, but in time, my heart will heal more and more, and we will all be in Heaven together before we know it! <br />
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Love Always, Rosalie and baby Mastaler #3 (boy or girl?? Hmm...we'll find out soon!)<br />
<br />Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-66785523271917098152012-06-13T10:20:00.000-07:002012-11-18T07:51:02.192-08:00My Due Date June 12th, 2012Well, yesterday was my due date...I'm guessing that she would have come by now since Hunter came a week early.<br />
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It is painful to think that I would be holding my little girl in my arms right now if she would have made it. I have been dreading my due date for weeks, but I am grateful that it has finally passed. I feel like I can somehow find the little extra comfort that I need as I let go of the feeling that "I should be pregnant right now". There were times when I would even bend over, and it was like I still felt pregnant, and I would think, I shouldn't even be able to bend over because a little (or big) baby bump should be in the way. I didn't think that I would be affected physically, as well as mentally, but it has been a difficult journey up to this point.<br />
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I wanted to post some pictures to honor my little baby Elle. Although she never came to us here on Earth, she will always be in our hearts and a part of our family.<br />
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So, join me as I reminisce...<br />
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This was when I announced that we were expecting a new little bundle of joy. We were at Knotts Merry Farm. I had seen the heart beat twice by this point...I remember how excited we were and how I thought about how I was going to protect the little growing body that was inside of me. The caption on the picture read:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"This year I asked Santa for a REALLY special gift...and today I saw the heartbeat of that amazing gift. (="</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Dec. 6th 2011</span><br />
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<img alt="" height="319" id="wc20:lrImg2" src="http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53845%3Enu%3D9234%3E344%3E237%3EWSNRCG%3D3882%3B3%3A897328nu0mrj" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; border: 0px currentColor; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" width="480" />
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When I first looked at this picture, I thought, gosh, I kinda look chubby, but really, it was Elle making her debut in NYC. For those of you who have been to New York, know that the food there is AMAZING, so we ate a LOT haha therefore, my baby bump was really starting to show in this trip, and I even remember when I got home Michael saying something like, "Hey where did that come from!?". I also bought her this little onsie and Hunter a matching one. It's safely put away inside my special "Elle box". I had my doctors appointment about one week from when I got home from NY...that was when everything started to happen...<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/149752_10151757613325247_157730592_n.jpg" width="266" />
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A few days before I delivered her, I wanted to take a picture...when I asked Michael to take it, he asked me "Why?" I told him that I wanted one last picture with her...I didn't know that I was going to deliver her only a few days after this picture was taken, but I will always look back at this time, and think about my daughter, and how even though I knew she was going to pass away, I wanted to cherish every single moment that I had with her.<br />
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<img alt="" height="400" id="wc20:lrImg2" src="http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53837%3Enu%3D9234%3E344%3E237%3EWSNRCG%3D3882%3B49685328nu0mrj" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; border: 0px currentColor; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" width="263" /><br />
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Here is her tiny, tiny, feet prints. The condition of her body was so bad that they couldn't get anything but these tiny prints, but I hold these small, little prints so close to my heart. I remember, so vividly, what she looked like. Something that will always stay with me was the weight of her little body in my arms and sometimes I can take myself back to that very moment, and remember exactly how it felt to hold her. At first it was hard to look at her, and Michael even told me to look away, but when they placed her in my arms, all I wanted to do was look. Although her body had been so completely consumed by the disorder, and did not look anything like a 22 week old baby, she was perfect to me, because I knew that she was perfect in Heaven.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the sign they put on the door and the little box they gave me.</td></tr>
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Gifts...I received a pink tulip necklace that a mother of one of my students gave me, some yummy treats, which I obviously already ate, cd's, a star to name after her, flowers, letters, books, and a bracelet to put where her ashes are, (which I'm going to keep in case I have another girl...that way she can wear her sisters bracelet...and if I don't have another girl, I will take it to the cemetery) Now, I don't want to brag about all of the material things I received, but, I just wanted to show how grateful I am...because I truly am grateful... <br />
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There were many wonderful people who got me flowers and cards...I was SO grateful for them. My counter has been filled pretty much since the week that I delivered. There have been times that I have told myself that I should take them down, get some counter space back, but I could never bring myself to do it. I finally decided that on her due date, I will take them down. So, the day came, and I couldn't do it. I couldn't let go...so I asked Michael to do it when I wasn't home...now my counter is empty...but I did get some flowers from a good friend, Michael, and my brother in law, so they will ease the empty space for a little while.<br />
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One last picture before they came down...<br />
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On Easter Sunday we went back to the cemetery for the first time. I cried and cried as I was in disbelief that this was my life...I never, ever thought I would lay flowers on a place where it was my child...I thought about what her life would have been like...we were about to leave after we visited Michael's best friends grave who isn't very far from Elle, and I saw someone that I recognizedq. She had lost her daughter at the age of 11 (approx.) and she talked about how grateful she is for those 11 wonderful years. It was a true inspiration...although I won't be able to say anything like that, I know that no matter what, I'm always going to be grateful for my daughter and she will always be a gift to me. Here is the spot where we laid her pink tulips. This spot is where the hospital lays all the baby's ashes when they are under 24 weeks or if the family decides to not have a their own designated plot. I loved seeing all the things that the other Mommies and Daddies brought to their little ones. It made feel like I wasn't so alone, and that all these other babies were loved just like our little Elle.<br />
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Here are two recent family pictures of us (May 7th The LA zoo, to celebrate Mother's Day and Easter and don't mind Michael's facial hair...it's for work) We are all smiles, and we are making it through...Michael has been my rock, and although his heart is broken too, he has let me cry, listened to me talk about my feelings and thoughts, and has given me inspiration to move forward. I am so grateful for him and I love him so much. This has brought us closer, and although we will always mourn over our lost baby, we have found joy together as we've grown closer as a couple, and to our Heavenly Father.<br />
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My last picture is of my favorite person in the whole wide world (next to Michael of course). This little guy is definitely Heaven sent...I think about how he's going to be an amazing big brother, and my heart aches for him as he doesn't know what he's missing out on right now, and how he should be playing with a little baby. A few days before Elle passed away, Hunter was laying in bed with me, and all of sudden, he just started giving my belly raspberries, and giggling and laughing, it was like he knew his little sister was in there and he wanted to play with her before she would go away. It was the funniest thing, and I will never forget that moment. He's such a sweet, happy, and friendly little boy. I know that he's the special one to help me get through this. He always puts a smile on my face and reminds to me to slow down and enjoy life. I don't know how I would have done it without him, but because of him, I'm a Mom, and I couldn't ask for anything more.<br />
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It has been about 18 weeks since I delivered. The road has been very up and down...recently, there have been a lot of tears as the days have been bringing me closer to my due date, but I've managed. What I would give to hold my little girl in my arms right now. I looked in the mirror the other day, and I cried and cried as I looked at myself and my features, and wondered what she would have looked like...would she have her Daddy's eyes and Mommy's hair? Maybe she will look like Hunter, or completely different...one day we'll know.<br />
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I definitely know that before everything happened I took being happy for granite. Happiness is a choice...You know how when you write someone a txt message, and to be friendly you put a little smiley face, it's something I always used to do...always...and now, whenever I put it, I think to myself, am I really happy? And for a while I couldn't even put it, because I felt like it was in vain...it's obviously gotten better, but I never thought my life would ever change so much that I couldn't even smile in my text messages. I am now grateful for when I am happy, because when something like this happens, you can't just be happy, you have to choose to be happy, and you have to figure out how your going to find that happiness. I know that a little part of me will always be empty, but I also know that my daughter is waiting for me...<br />
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I know something magical didn't happen on my due date and that it won't all of a sudden make things better, but I knew it would be a turning point. My cards are put away, I've shared pictures, I went to the cemetery and I'm moving forward. I know that I've been blessed with strength, but sometimes I do get a little upset and ask my Heavenly Father why He took her away from me, but those feelings never last for too long, and I'm so grateful for my knowledge of eternal families.<br />
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Lastly, I once again want to thank everyone for their sweet thoughts and prayers, for the messages, the phone calls, and most of all their love. How grateful I am for those who have reached out to me. This is definitely a time when I've needed others to just make the first step and put in an effort...and they have made a difference. Saying thank you will never be enough, but know that I love you and am grateful for you.<br />
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So, here's to my due date being long gone. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures. And even though my sweet Elle's life was very short, I hope that you will all remember her and will think of her up in Heaven, watching down on all of us.<br />
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Love, RosalieMas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-43888939424441015712012-03-18T07:46:00.007-07:002012-03-18T09:56:53.837-07:00Happy Birthday to me...<div>HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY</div><div><br /></div><span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Last weekend was my birthday, and it was also the day that I came to a harsh realization...</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I spent the morning crying as I thought about what I wanted for my birthday. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I wanted...want...and will always want her...here in my arms...I want to see her grow, smile, laugh...live...and it's probably something I will think about every birthday, and probably every Christmas, but being that this is my first of those occasions, I took it pretty hard. I thought, how can I ever go on with life as happy as I was before when part of my heart will always be broken? I thought to myself, "Heavenly Father, why would you give me a trial that will forever make me desire something that I can't have...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I will always want her...and although I know I have her eternally, I have to learn how to be patient...and that word seems so negative, just seeing it there in black and white...sure, I'll try and gain patience, but as a mother, how does one wait a lifetime to see her child? </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div>Alma Chapter 34</div><div><br /></div><div><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="41" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); color: rgb(72, 111, 174); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">41 </span><span style="color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); ">But that ye have </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 1; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=34&noteID=41a&lang=eng" id="footnote99" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">patience</a><span style="color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); ">, and bear with those </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 1; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">b</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=34&noteID=41b&lang=eng" id="footnote100" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">afflictions</a><span style="color: rgb(47, 57, 58); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); ">, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Part of me wonders if I allowed myself to get too attached to her once I knew that I was going to lose her. I remember we didn't even know it was a girl when we first found out, and then when we did, she became so real. She got the name that we had picked out, (the only name we had picked out...we didn't even have a boy name) and it seemed like we knew that it was her from the very beginning...although I do wonder if I am too attached, it is how it is, and my desires to have my little girl are what they are. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">I wonder if it's because I never wanted a girl, and now that I had one, I want her more than ever.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> I know that part of it is a pure longing for a baby, but at the same time, she seems so real. It's almost like I can picture her in Heaven...Oh, how I miss her. I know that some people may think that I didn't even know her, so this shouldn't be so hard for me to deal with or it's something that I can just not dwell upon, but as most women understand, </span>before they are even born, <span style="font-size: 100%; ">you know your child more than anyone can ever comprehend . I can honestly say that it's a blessing Heavenly Father has given to us women. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">MEMORIAL</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">A few days before my birthday, on March 6th, Elle's ashes were laid to rest. Behind the wall on the right is a large rock/urn, where the remains of my little baby, along with other special little babies, are put. Here is the description of the area...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">"Located adjacent to the waterfall and ponds of Sunset Hills are the Sacred Falls Niches. This is a place of peace and solitude overlooking the entire valley."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="http://www.sunsethills.cc/tour/tourpix/thumbs/tour_002_small.jpg" /> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I remember my Bishops wife telling me that it's like you never you want to leave California because a part of you is always there, and she is very right. I will go back to this spot on her due date and leave her pink tulips...and maybe a baby doll. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">The memorial was difficult, but comforting. Although it was not of mine and my families faith, it was a beautiful memorial that I shared with a few other mothers. We put her name on a little quilt that they had made for the mothers to sign. Hunter wore his Lightning McQueen and Mater shirt so he could show Elle his favorite characters. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">PEOPLE</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">One of the first things that someone told me when everything started to happen (that I unfortunately have found to be true), is that people that love me will unintentionally hurt me. Although I know that the times I have been hurt have been unintentional, part of me really wishes that when people are dealing with one going through an excruciating tragedy, that they would think before they speak, listen to the spirit, and understand the meaning of compassion. I want to be careful when I bring up this subject, because I don't want it to seem like a guilt trip, because it's not, but I've tried to take this experience and help others so that when they have to possibly deal with someone else who has gone through something tragic, that they will have gained experience. One big thing that I have to tell people is, "TRY". You may think that they want space, or already have tons of people visiting them or whatever it may be...but it's not always the case...don't just assume. Some people don't have a lot of family around, or even friends for that matter. It's not necessarily anyone's fault, but when you know someone is going through a trying time, even though you have no clue what to say or do, just TRY...oh, the BEST thing to say is simply your condolences...don't try and give them advice on how to get through it, unless you have been through something very similar. Don't just let them know that you are there for them, show them...leave a note, bring by a treat, a flower, yourself...<span style="font-size: 100%; ">The word "space" has a whole new meaning...I think some people think, oh they probably need their "space"...but then I think, what will space do? All we have are each other, and I'm sure when Christ saw someone in need comfort He didn't give them space..."Comfort those in need of comfort"...Looking back, and even now, I will be honest in saying that I do wish I had more visitors, yet the few that visited me make me even more thankful for them. I think that sometimes people don't realize that small gestures go a long way. With that being said, although I have felt hurt when it comes to this, I know it wasn't intentional, (I'm hurting no matter what so it's kind like the whole "Adding insult to injury" situation) and once again, thank you to those who came to visit and wrote heartfelt messages. I'm so grateful for those who have helped take little steps forward and have brought comfort to me. It's SO hard to not make life all about yourself when it comes to something like this..."it's all about ME"... and as I come out of that and gain better perspective, I hope and know that I will be there for someone else in need and will be more empathetic because of my experience. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">MIRACLE</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">A few weeks after we lost Elle, we ran into someone who had recently almost lost her husband, and without any details, he was granted a miracle...along with MANY other things in life, my perspective has severely changed...I think...miracle...and I know I have talked about this before, but the natural man inside of me thinks, "Why couldn't we have been granted a miracle?". The answer is simply because it wasn't our Heavenly Father's will. This has taken and will always take so much faith...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Here are some passages from my favorite chapter in the scriptures about faith...we all need constant reminders and this will always be mine...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><p class="" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 22px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); text-align: -webkit-auto; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">17 </span>Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a<sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=17a&lang=eng" id="footnote25" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">sign</a> from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.</p><p class="" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 22px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); text-align: -webkit-auto; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">18 </span>Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=18a&lang=eng" id="footnote26" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">believe</a>, for he knoweth it.</p><p class="" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 22px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); text-align: -webkit-auto; "></p><p class="" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.42" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="42" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">42 </span>And because of your <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=42a&lang=eng" id="footnote60" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">diligence</a> and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">b</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=42b&lang=eng" id="footnote61" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">fruit</a> thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.</p><p class="" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.43" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="43" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">43 </span>Then, my brethren, ye shall <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=43a&lang=eng" id="footnote62" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">reap</a> the <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">b</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=43b&lang=eng" id="footnote63" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">rewards</a> of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">c</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=alma&chapterUri=32&noteID=43c&lang=eng" id="footnote64" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">fruit</a> unto you.</p><p></p></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">With that being said...luckily my birthday was on a Sunday and the scripture was given by a primary child that basically said, "Misery loves company". I automatically understood, that while I sulk in the misery of my trial, it is not feelings from my Heavenly Father. Even though, for the first time in my life, I've had to earnestly search for happiness, it is there and I'm finding it as each day goes on. Some days are definitely better than others, but Heavenly Father want us to be happy...after church my birthday turned around and it was a "Happy Birthday" (as happy as it could be haha). My birthday dinner was surrounded by family who loves me and my Heavenly Father who loves me once again brought me tender mercies. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I must say that I am in continual gratitude for those who have reached out to me, prayed for me, and have just cared about me. One day I will sit down and write you a personal, heartfelt thank you...I owe you that much.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Love, Rosalie</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">p.s. In honor of St. Partick's Day (yesterday) here are the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs, Irish Blessing...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">May the road rise to meet you,</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">May the wind be ever at your back.</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">May the sunshine warm upon your face,</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">And the rains fall soft upon your fields.</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">And until we meet again.</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">May God hold you, May God hold you </span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ever in the palm of his hand.</span> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-61215974507644544532012-02-05T20:51:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:43:47.939-08:00<div>I can't even describe to you how I feel...but I'm ready to share the story of when I laid my little baby down to rest...</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday morning I spent about one hour on the phone with my insurance, and then my medical group, and then Loma Linda hospital. It was all kind of frustrating, especially since I didn't get to go see my specialist in the morning, but we were told that we could go see my OB in the afternoon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dr. Moneke didn't get in the office until 2pm and the hours leading up to that 2 o' clock hour were soooo long. I remember looking at the clock and just watching the minutes go by...I was so nervous, and I knew that there was a very good chance that we would soon have to say goodbye to our baby Elle. Even though I knew that time was going to come sooner or later, I knew very well that there wasn't going to be anything to prepare me for that moment. I was going crazy waiting and waiting and I tried to find little things to take up time...</div><div><br /></div><div><span>THE LAST ULTRASOUND</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Just reading the words the "last" ultrasound puts me into tears...that was it...her heart could no longer handle her physical ailments....</div><div><br /></div><div>The last time I got an ultrasound I couldn't bring myself to look. I can't linger on the fact that that would have been the last time I would have seen her alive, but I decided that no matter what, the next time I got an u/s, I would look. So, when we get into the exam room I asked my doctor if I could look at her before he told me whether or not her heart stopped. I looked...and even on a little screen, in black and white, she was beautiful, and she was mine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I told the doctor that I was done and I waited for the news...I laid there...and waited and waited while he searched for her little heart beat. The week leading up to this moment I thought about how she can probably hear my heart beat and how I wish she could take the strength from mine, and just keep holding on. I thought...just listen to mine, and follow it, and you'll be okay...</div><div><br /></div><div>The doctor was silent while he looked, and I'm sure he wished he could tell me that he could find it, but when I looked up, I saw Michael's face, and he shook his head, "no". He could see that there wasn't anything there, and the moment finally came that I never, ever thought would come. A little bit of peace came over me, knowing that she was home in Heaven, but unfortunately that peace can't even surpass all of the other feelings of knowing that this little girl wasn't going to ever come home with me. I laid there and cried...</div><div><br /></div><div>We decided to go straight to the hospital, and I just have to share that before we left the doctors office, Dr. Moneke gave me a hug and reassured me that he would be there for the delivery. How grateful I am for my doctor...although this whole experience has been a nightmare, there have been little reminders that my Heavenly Father still loves me, and the blessing of my doctor is one of those tender mercies that I am very grateful for. </div><div><br /></div><div><span>THE DELIVERY</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know why I thought that being induced with a 22 week old wouldn't take very much time, but by the time everything was done, it was the length of an actual labor...and it was absolutely horrible. For those of you that know me, know that I have a huge phobia of needles. I can't even look at them without shuddering, and even more, I just can't stand anything medical done to me. So, I'm sure that you can imagine that going through labor, and not getting the prize at the end, was incredibly...insert every horrible word you can think of. It started with getting the stupid I.V., which hurt so bad (I do NOT remembering it hurting so bad when I had Hunter, so I wasn't just being a wuss) and that was the first sight of pain...I sobbed while she stuck me with the needle, partly because it hurt so bad and because I knew what everything was leading up to. I remember looking into Michael's eyes, and I know that he could see, not only the physical pain I was feeling, but that my heart, at this point didn't feel broken...it just felt shattered, and completely dead...a piece of my heart died with hers, and although Michael felt pain too, from the look in his eyes, I knew that he wished he could take away all of my pain...</div><div><br /></div><div>Once they got my I.V. in, they had to do some lab work...and as the lab tech. watched me cry I'm sure the last thing he wanted to do was poke me with another needle...so as he gently prepped me, he quietly asks, "So, what are you having, a boy or girl?"...I knew she was a girl, but what do I say???? "She would be a girl..." He gets quiet and I could tell that he realized why I was so upset. When he finished he looks me in the eyes and says, so sincerely, "You take care, okay?" Thank you again for another tender mercy...</div><div><br /></div><div>After being admitted, there was a shift change and my new nurse walks in. She was young, and seemed very sweet. I could tell that there were tears in her eyes, and as she introduced herself, she tells me that she's sorry if she cries all night...my eyes well up with tears, and I thank her for crying, because it shows me that she cares. She assured me that she did care, and once again I knew that I was being watched over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back it all kind of seems like a blur...but I want to tell you something I clearly remember, and that I will always remember for the rest of my life. Once I was admitted, and had a few quiet minutes, I decided to gain some comfort amid the chaos, and I opened up a random scripture...I love reading the four gospels, so I chose something out of there and I was lead to Matthew chapter 8.</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="" uri="/scriptures/nt/matt/8.2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 18px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); text-align: -webkit-auto; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">2 </span>And, behold, there came a <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/8?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=8&noteID=2a&lang=eng" id="footnote0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; ">leper</a> and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.</p><p class="" uri="/scriptures/nt/matt/8.3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 18px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(47, 57, 58); text-align: -webkit-auto; "><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" name="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); "> </a><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">3 </span>And Jesus put forth <span class="clarityWord" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; ">his</span> hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1; ">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/8?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=8&noteID=3a&lang=eng" id="footnote1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(72, 111, 174); text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; ">cleansed</a>.</p></div><div>I know, without a doubt, that miracles happen everyday. People are saved, healed, and are able to escape death, but only when it is our Heavenly Fathers will...I remember when my Opa died, and my Oma was so distraught, and wondered why Jesus Christ didn't save her husband. She would say, "He healed those people, so why not Opa?" My answer, during that time, was that it wasn't His will for Opa to be healed. Well...as I laid in my hospital bed and read about our Saviors power to heal, I knew that my Baby Elle was healed. She was in Heaven with her perfect little body and she would be waiting for me. How grateful I am to know that...because when I finally got to see her, and see the absolute distress her body was in, amidst all the heart ache, I was able to be grateful that she was healed...</div><div><br /></div><div>After about 8 hours of being induced, the time finally came to deliver her. I decided to not have an epidural because I wanted to be completely aware of everything going on, physically and mentally. The second she started to crown, how grateful I was for when I got an epidural with Hunter, because that did NOT feel good...she was right there, and the doctor wasn't there yet...so I couldn't even push, so I tried to hold her and I was shaking, and it hurt, and I couldn't think. For those of you that have gone through labor, know that small moment of when everything just doesn't seem to make sense, you feel pain, you have all these emotions going through you, your adrenaline has kicked in, and then it finally happens...those few seconds when you go from being pregnant...to not...once I felt her leave me, I cried the most depressing tears I have ever cried in my life...she was gone...I didn't have her inside of me anymore, I could no longer carry her, I couldn't look down at my tummy and think, "It's okay...Mommy has you safe and sound". At that moment all I wanted was to maybe hear a cry, or something, just to tell me that she was alive...because that's how it's supposed to be, you have a baby, the baby cries, you get to hold the baby, you nurse her, hold her, feel her heartbeat...Once again, I can't even describe the feelings I felt...</div><div><br /></div><div>Dr. Moneke finally got there after I delivered. (It happened so fast he didn't even make it in time) I had a few big fears going into labor...the side affects of being induced (I was induced with cytotec) nausea and diarrhea (sry...tmi) and my placenta not coming out...I did NOT want a D and C. I also had a big fear of going into labor at home when Michael wasn't around...Heavenly Father knew my fears, and once again, I was taken care of. None of my fears became a reality. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once everything settled down...Dr. Moneke talked with me...he is a very quiet and meek man...and you can tell that he thinks about every word he says. He asked me if I had held her yet...if I named her, told me that I need to heal not only physically, but emotionally, and that they can take pictures...etc. Before he left he gave me a hug, and how I grateful I was for his compassion...He was also told me that I had to stay in the hospital for 12 more hours...luckily they didn't put me in postpartum, but those 12 hours of just laying there were sooo long. I couldn't sleep, even though I had just been awake all night, and there wasn't anything I wanted to do but just go home. I did have some visitors that brought some joy to my day...thank you Julie for bringing me goodies, and a friendly smiling face, the Gonzales's for making me feel special, my Aunt came too (before the delivery) both parents stayed all night through the long process, and Michael's whole family came the next day and brought the best visitor of all, my little bug. Oh, how I love him...when we first arrived at the hospital, I thought about the last time I was there, and the joy we experienced bringing our first baby into this world...what a difference of emotions...but I was able to hold on to some of that joy, and know that no matter what, I still had my sweet child to come home to when this was all done. </div><div><br /></div><div>After Dr. Moneke left, it was now time to hold my little 14 ounce, 8 inch little baby girl...At this point I hadn't even looked at her yet...Michael saw a lot more than I did. I remember looking at him, and he had tears in his eyes, and I asked him if she was beautiful, and he smiled, and said, "yes". I vividly remember the feeling of holding her...I think about that time a lot...I can feel the weight of her in my arms...she didn't look anything like what a 22 week old baby should look like. They gently wrapped her up in a blanket because of how fragile she was. Michael was the only one that got to see her whole little body...Both of our Mom's were there, and also Michael's Dad...we passed her around, and we loved her. We could see the large cyst on her neck, her body was swollen, and was so swollen that her skin didn't even look like skin...they couldn't even get a hand print...but I was able to get foot prints, there were probably only one inch long. My poor, poor baby girl...but as I looked at her, and all of her Earthly imperfections caused by the severeness of her disorder, I remembered the scriptures that I had read...she was healed...she was perfect. I know that if she looked like what she should have, it would have been difficult to understand why she didn't make it, but because she looked so sick, how grateful I was that she no longer had to struggle for life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving the hospital without a baby was so sad...and it was only a foreshadow to the sadness that I would experience in the days ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div><span>LIFE</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Where do I begin...first of all...you do NOT realize how much baby stuff there is out there...EVERYWHERE...until that's all you're thinking about. Ya, I thought about baby's ALL the time when I was pregnant, or when I had my little guy...but...well...I'm sure I don't really have to explain. I get headaches when I'm out in public, I don't want to be social, I hardly talk on the phone (big shocker...I know), I don't even know what I want. I had a special friend come visit me a few days after everything had happened, and she had recently lost her Mom. She said it perfectly when she talked about how it's almost like I have to live a different life from the one I did before...it's so true. I think about one little thing, and I start crying, I look down, and realize there's no baby bump there anymore, I think about what my life was going to be like, on, and on, and on. You don't really realize how things will affect you until you are going through them. How I felt before is so different from how I feel now. I think about those days leading up to the one day when she passed. Even though they were pure torment, I took everyday and became more and more attached to the baby I carried inside of me. As each day went on, the more and more I didn't want to lose her. Someone told me that they were praying, that if it was Heavenly Father's will, that I would have her for just one more day...and now there isn't one more day...and it's been days since she's been gone. I didn't know her, I didn't get to hug and kiss her, or sing to her, and I didn't realize that I would miss, so badly, something that I never even had. I think about her name...and how we had her name picked out before we even knew that the baby was a girl...it's like she was really meant to be our baby Elle Carmela...</div><div><br /></div><div>The other day one of my friends asked me how I was doing? I honestly told him that I'm the worst I've ever been in my life...my world seems so out of place...but...and yes...luckily there is a but...I am learning. Learning to find joy, trying to move forward, and trying to remember all those tender mercies that I have and am still being blessed with. On Tuesday I went to the temple, and being there gave me just enough courage and faith to move on. I know that the temple is the House of the Lord, and I knew that if I went I would feel close to my baby girl. There is joy in righteous doing...it's amazing how you can live life normally, and then something happens, and you have to actually search for joy and peace. I've been searching, and trying so hard, and although it's little by little, I find what I'm looking for. I rely on the gospel and my faith, and the word "rely" is an understatement. </div><div><br /></div><div>How grateful I am for the prayers of others that have helped me through this difficult time...I've gotten flowers, mostly pink tulips...which will forever be Elle's flower, sympathy cards, dinners brought to us, CD's with inspirational music, Mickey ears from Disneyland that say, "Baby Elle 1/31/12" and someone even bought me a star named after Elle so that she will always be shining down on me. It's been hard with most of my close friends living so far away, but they've been there to listen and cry with me. I've missed my students, and was glad to start teaching again this week, and I've been able to slowly move forward...</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been putting off writing this, because I knew that it would take a lot of heart to get through it, but I'm doing it...</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I just want to say how grateful I am to know where my baby girl is, and to know that she is waiting for me. There's hardly one second that goes by when I don't think about her. I know that she will eternally be mine, and that Michael will always be her Daddy. We look forward to being with her...and who knows if I will be blessed with another daughter, but how grateful I am to know that my first daughter was too special to be here on Earth. I have found joy in her, and she has already made me a better Mom. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love, Rosalie, Michael, and Baby Elle</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScve0ha9868LWuc41KpD1VIltUh_umuJTGplWN92IBGCj3ueBr-Q" /> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-37485008567658661142012-02-01T16:43:00.001-08:002012-02-01T17:05:49.220-08:00There's honestly not very much I want to say right now...<div><br /></div><div>As of right now...I already miss being pregnant...I miss it soooo bad and I'm heart broken...I miss the baby girl that I had inside of me...</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday, at about 2pm we didn't see that flickering light on the ultrasound screen. Out of the options that were given, we decided to take the one that put us in the hospital right away...after a long and painful process I delivered my baby girl at 3:55 am on January 31st. She was 14 ounces, 8 inches long...you could tell that her poor little body had been in so much distress and she didn't look anything close to what a 22 week baby would look like. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I held her, and loved her...and although there are no words to describe the heart ache of that brief moment I felt peace knowing that she was healed...she was in Heaven with her Heavenly Father.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is much more I want to share...but I want to end with saying thank you again for your prayers, love and support. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sincerely, Rosalie, Michael and Baby Elle</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.lighthousebythesea.com/images/Inspiration/Art/GregOlsen/GregOlsen-PreciousInHisSight.jpg" /> </div>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-18090037721845466402012-01-29T08:26:00.000-08:002012-01-29T09:24:21.567-08:00"I'll try again tomorrow..."14 Days...<div><br /></div><div>It has been 14 days since I was told that I was going to lose my little baby...everyday I wake up, and I think about this gift that is inside of me, a little baby who's heart beat is still hanging on. My morning thoughts have pretty much been the same for the past 14 days...I wonder if today will be the day that I have to say goodbye...and I wonder how I'm going to do it. I don't know how many more days there will be when I have to wake up and ask myself that question but part of me is okay with it, because then that means that I don't have to say goodbye to this precious life that I carry inside of me...but I know that she needs to go home to be with her Heavenly Father.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been 20 days since my doctor first saw something...never did I think that that little check up would lead us to where it has today...</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been about 105 days since we found out that our little family was going to be expecting a new little bundle of joy...and it has also been about that many days since we saw that little flicker of light on the ultrasound screen...a little heart beat...a heart beat that has forever changed our lives. I think about those days a lot...I remember the happiness I felt when I saw those two little lines, and when I heard that tiny heart beat. It has been quite the journey. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I finally got around to checking my voice messages, and I had a message from Dr. Brar's office saying that they have to cancel my appointment (it's tomorrow, Monday) because I have been transferred to Loma Linda hospital...I was very confused and shocked. I thought to myself, only people in serious conditions usually have to go there (unless there insurance is originally there of course)...and that can't be me! Of course I couldn't even call my insurance to figure out what I needed to do, and the maternity clinic was closed, so that meant that I'd have to wait...I was fine with the doctors I had, I was okay with the plan that we had for me, I was even more okay with delivering at St. Mary's because it's 5 minutes from Grandma and Grandpa's house where Hunter will most likely be, and it's where I know my surroundings and feel comfortable. Luckily, I got a lot of comforting and encouraging words from a lot of wonderful people, which gave me some peace, yet I still have fears. We are now going to get a second opinion and I'm worried that it could be different, and although we are ultimately in control, I don't want to be confused or have to make any different decisions. As the days pass, I wait for my Monday morning appointment, and tomorrow we would have been able to find out, first thing, whether or not her heart had stopped and if our loving Heavenly Father had decided to take her home. I've decided that that's how I want to find out...I don't want to all of a sudden go into labor, or start bleeding, or possibly have my water break, etc. Who knows where I would be when any of those things could happen, Michael could be down the hill at work, I'd most likely have Hunter with me...etc. So, ya, if you can't tell, I'm kind of scared about how everything's going to happen, so I wait and wait for my ultrasound and I really hope I'll be able to get one tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can honestly say that I've never felt so broken down in my whole entire life, but somehow I make it through each day, and everyday I discover something new...like today I realized while I was taking to a very dear friend, that because Heavenly Father knows what you are about to go through, He will prepare you. Today, I had questions for my dear sweet husband, and while I asked through all my tears if maybe we are going through this because we need to be prepared for something else, he replied, "Or maybe we are going through this because we are strong enough." Although I don't feel strong enough, I've been able to do some soul searching that I never would have done if it wasn't for this trial, and I have to remind myself and realize that I am getting through it...so there has to be some strength in there somewhere. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am still waiting for when, "This too shall pass..." and although I have many fears and worries, I will always know that time will always move forward, and we have to move forward with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I saw the picture below...and it sums up everything right now...tomorrow I shall try again, because as of right now, that's all I can do, get through this day by day. For the first time in my life, I've really had to think about what makes my happy...at first I thought crafting and creating could help...and then it didn't...and then we went out for sushi (I've always felt like sushi can cure anything) and I was ready to go home before I was even done eating...I watched American Idol...I just kind of fast forward through...I've been able to teach a little bit...and it helped a little...I've thought about Disneyland, or taking a trip, which can always make me happy...and even the thought of it doesn't really help. This is honestly a very, very sad time for me...but I hold tight to the gospel and my family, I constantly listen to hymns and uplifting music, and I find courage to endure through this trying time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, thank you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers...I have been amazed by those who have taken the time to really reach out to me. Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but know that I am sincerely grateful for you. </div><div><br /></div><div><img class="spotlight" alt="" describedby="fbPhotosSnowboxCaption" busy="false" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404214_10150510438133511_535098510_8881330_1462542021_n.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; display: inline-block; height: auto; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 402px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); " /> </div><div><br /></div>Love, Rosalie, Michael and baby ElleMas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-91746514687414520732012-01-23T15:28:00.000-08:002013-03-12T18:31:17.036-07:00Day by DayMonday January 23rd <br />
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Early morning appointment with Dr. Brar...on our way to the doctors Michael and I talk about how it was only one week ago that we found out that we were going to lose our baby. Usually, weeks go by pretty quickly, but I can honestly say that this has been the longest week of my life. Time just seems to be moving so slowly, but a part of me is grateful for that, because it means that I get to hold and carry my sweet daughter for just that much longer. On the other hand, at first I thought that time would help me to cope and get better...then I started realizing, more and more, that the more time passed, the closer I was getting to the inevitable...I have often asked myself, how does a mother endure this torment? </div>
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They started off with an ultrasound at Dr. Brar's office...Michael is able to see all the images and he said that even after one week, he sees more cysts around her body, the ones she already had were bigger and the swelling was worse. He said that it was hard to even make out any images of what a normal baby would look like...somehow her heartbeat is still normal...the nurse told us that there was more fluid around her heart. When she asked if I wanted to look, all I could do was cry, and I quickly said, "no". Next week, I'm going to prepare myself to look, and I kind of wish I had today. The doctor predicted that she could pass anywhere from days to weeks from now. I will now be monitored weekly...</div>
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A few hours later we went and saw Dr. Moneke for the first time since we found out. Bless my doctor and his compassionate heart... He listened so intently and we could really tell that he cared. We told him our decision to let our daughter pass in our Heavenly Father's time and he told us that he will stand by whatever decision we make. When I asked him if he had seen other cases like this, he said that he had, but the majority of the mothers had decided to terminate. He was very good about answering all my questions and I'm so grateful that he will be there to help deliver my baby. Unfortunately, he will be leaving the country for two weeks in February, but I hope that he will be around when I need him. One of my fears right now is having to go through labor...as all mother's know, it's not easy, and although I wouldn't be delivering a full term baby I do not look forward to experiencing any physical pain...the pain of having Hunter was very worth it, because in the end I had a baby to take home...when I asked about an epidural my doctor said "Absolutely, why should we make you go through pain when you don't need to." That eased my worries a little bit.</div>
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Once again, I would like to thank all those who have sent their condolences, prayed for us, and just told us that they are thinking about and love us. I've had some mothers share their stories with me, and that has meant a lot. I have been amazed by the compassion of not only long time friends, but people who have only known us for only a short time. I know that I am very quick to tell someone that I am praying for them, or thinking about them, and never did I think that I would be on the other side. Thank you for your empathy...After today, we feel a little bit closer to the light at the end of the tunnel, yet nothing about this feels easier and there isn't anything that will help us to feel peace except to stay close to our Heavenly Father and have faith in His plan. </div>
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Sincerely, Rosalie, Michael and baby Elle</div>
Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-49017801006752151222012-01-20T10:06:00.000-08:002013-03-12T18:38:25.350-07:00My Days of Carrying Baby Elle Carmela<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday January 9<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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18 week appointment with Dr. Moneke…I was told that he only gives ultrasounds 15 weeks and earlier and wasn’t planning to give me one (at this point I had already had 2 and the baby was perfectly healthy). I asked him if he would give me one so he could try and identify the gender, and I’m sure that he could see how anxious I was because he kindly agreed to give me one. He wasn’t able to see the gender, but he noticed two large black circles behind the baby’s head, and he was also a little concerned about how large the baby’s legs looked. He told me to get it checked out ASAP and a few hours later I received a more detailed US, once again the gender wasn’t determined, but the US tech saw the same thing he did, but we’d have to wait for the final results…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday January 11<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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Consult with Dr. Moneke to receive my results…he reads them under his breath, I hear him say something about cysts…but that was about it. I anxiously waited for answers, questioned him the best I can, but am only told that I needed to go see a specialist. He said that he didn’t trust results, and didn’t want to tell me anything…I am told that I needed to get looked at ASAP and being that the Dr. that he wanted to send me to was only in the office on Mondays, meant I’d have to wait for a few days to get more answers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the meantime…I’m not too worried…the baby was very active, had a strong heart beat and by the looks of it, it didn’t seem like we had anything to worry about. When Dr. Moneke was giving me my US I felt the baby kicking where he was pushing, and it felt so good to feel the baby inside of me. Everything seemed okay…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday January 16<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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A day I will never forget…I receive an US from Dr. Brar…although he was speaking so fast, and using so many words I didn’t understand, I was able to understand when he said that our baby’s heart will fail…It all seems like such a blur, and Michael was much better at internalizing the information while I sobbed and wept over the bad news. I tried my best to understand, but the large circles behind the baby’s neck are pockets of fluid connected to the baby. They baby is absorbing the fluid which is causing the body to swell, and soon (I say soon not really knowing a real timeline) the fluid will reach the heart which will cause it to fail. We are told that baby most likely won’t survive much longer, and that if it makes it to term, the baby would only be able to survive for a few days.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I replay the doctors words in my head, and although I know it’s a reality, there’s still a part of me that doesn’t feel like it really happened and that we are really living in the reality of losing our baby…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tuesday January 17<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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A genetic counselor calls to give us the results of our amniocentesis test (where they draw fluid from the amniotic sac). We are told that our baby has Turner Syndrome…a few hours earlier I made the decision to know the gender of our baby…I knew that I wouldn’t be carrying this baby for much longer, and I wanted to try and be as close to my baby as possible. I hoped that this decision would give me some comfort or closure and at this point I was searching for any way possible to find even a little bit of peace…One of the first things the genetic counselor asked us was if we wanted to know the gender. I was not expecting this and how grateful I am to know that I was prepared to know whether or not we were going to have a son or daughter…sadly, Michael shook his head “no” but as the counselor proceeded to tell us that she will be able to better explain the defects he accepted the fact that we had to find out. Before I talk a little bit about Turner Syndrome, let me remind you that before our doctor even knew that she had TS he was able to predict our baby’s life JUST by her condition. Unfortunately, TS has caused life threatening symptoms which will cause our baby to pass and not have a life here on Earth…No…we are not God, nor is our doctor, we cannot know without a doubt what is going to happen, but through prayer, acceptance, the priesthood, and the reality of the situation, we know that our sweet little daughter will return to our Heavenly Father. I want you to know that I also have faith in miracles…they happen every day…but, I have to know that no matter what, our daughter is a miracle, me staying healthy and then being able to get pregnant again will be a miracle, Hunter is a miracle, and although she may not be healed to have a full healthy life here on Earth, she will still and always will be our little miracle…I’ve come to accept that sometimes we have to change what we want our miracle to be…There are females who have TS and are alive and living healthy lives, but every case is very different and unfortunately the cards that we were dealt don’t give us any hope of that being our case…If it was supposed to be that she had a chance, I’m sure that the doctor would have given us different answers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday January 18<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Only two days had passed, and I felt like it was the first time that I was able to face the day with somewhat normal activities. With that being said…I want to tell you what my biggest struggles were…when we found out her life threatening condition at Dr. Brar’s office on Monday, the option of terminating the baby came up…this is something that as a mother you would never, ever imagine would even have to think about…then there was the option of possibly being induced very early…some other things that I had to think about was that after 20 weeks of pregnancy it is usually considered a still born, not a miscarriage, (I will be 20 weeks on the 25<sup>th</sup>) and then after 25 weeks you are required to bury your child and last of all…if we decided to wait it out, and go to term (38-40 weeks) how will my body be able to deliver? What are the risks with all these options? Is my baby in pain? How will I emotionally be able to hold on to my baby if she is strong enough to make it to term? I am in complete limbo. I cannot yet grieve the loss of my baby, so I continue to protect and love her the best that I can while she is a part of me. The hardest part of this all is that we don’t know what lies ahead…we just know that no matter what we will have to face it and get through it…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thursday January 19<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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We meet with our Bishop…after his counsel and guidance we feel that we should give our baby every chance to live that we can…we wait and let Heavenly Father take her when it’s her time…It is that night that I am blessed with health and we are told that our daughter will eternally be with our family.</div>
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Friday January 20<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today…I wake up thinking about the decision that we made… this decision means that we would be about five weeks from knowing whether or not we will have to bury our sweet daughter. No parent should ever have to see the grave of one of their children…I’m still in awe and disbelief that this has happened to us. The days go by very slowly and I look forward to when “this too shall pass”. We meet with Dr. Brar and Dr. Moneke on Monday. It will be nice to get some more answers and feel like we are moving forward. Aside from those updates, I’ve discovered that creating (crafts), and being productive is helping me to cope. I’ve been able to get back to teaching a little bit…it helps take my mind off of everything…but I’m afraid that there’s going to be those days where I just won’t feel like doing anything…it’s hard for me to accept that not only has this tragedy happened, but I have to allow myself to figure out how to cope, grieve and find peace. I want you to know that I appreciate all the support that we have gotten so far. Parents of my students have been so wonderful and understanding, my close friends have been an amazing listening ear and have cried with me, our parents have been there every step of the way, I’ve had numerous people tell me that they are or already have put our names in the temple and our wonderful Bishop is going to ask the ward to fast for us this Sunday. This is a very tragic and devastating time, but we feel the prayers and love of everyone who is there for us. It means more than you know. I will do my best to keep everyone updated…Thank you for your sweet messages, and prayers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sincerely, Rosalie, Michael, and Baby Elle Carmela</div>
Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-19845387687923810082011-04-23T21:18:00.000-07:002011-04-23T21:53:04.381-07:00EasterIt's the night before Easter and I can't wait for tomorrow morning. I almost feel like it's Christmas! I've never been so excited for Easter before...but this year it seems more special than the years passed.<br /><br />It's my first Easter as a Mom...As all Mother's know, your perspective changes a LOT when that little baby enters your life, and I think one of the biggest ways I've been changed is by my perspective on the atonement. There have been so many times that I look at my baby, and my heart is overflowing with joy because I know that the Savior lived and died for him. Hunter has changed my life in so many ways, but I honestly think that this is one of the best ways that he has changed me.<br /><br />Growing up I never understood what Easter was about. I knew about the little marshmallow Peeps candys, jelly beans, the Easter Bunny, etc. but I never knew the real meaning of Easter. Because of this, I have decided that I'm not going to have the tradition of having my kids take pictures with the Easter Bunny. When I told this to Michael, he brought up the point of Santa Claus, and I was ready for that. Christmas, in my opinion, is easier to understand than Easter. I don't think that Santa can cloud the Christmas holiday as much as the Easter Bunny can. Santa at least gave to others by bringing them gifts, but what does the Easter Bunny offer? Now don't get me wrong, there can be a fun side to Easter. I did get Hunter a little basket, but I put his first "Easter" book in it, along with some other fun baby stuff, but he's still little. I may be contradicting myself by having an Easter basket, but there's the small fun stuff I still want to do. I've just decided that actually taking a trip to the Easter Bunny doesn't have any benefit to teaching my children about the true meaning of Easter. Now, if you take yours kids to the Easter Bunny, don't worry I won't judge you! hahaha I think my decision has a lot to do with how I understood Easter as a child.<br /><br />Tomorrow, my dear, sweet friend Ginger Olsen and I are singing in church. We are singing the song "O, Lord My Redeemer". If you have not heard this song, you have to! (Below) It's the first time I've sung in church since I've had Hunter, and I'm hoping to make it through the song. Music has such a special place in my heart and how grateful I am to be able to share it, especially when I'm singing about something as sacred as Easter. I will never feel worthy enough to sing about something as special as the atonement, but I'm going to try my best.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDjjxJDc0Xs&feature=related<br /><br />Oh and I'm really excited because I'm starting the tradition of all of us matching as a family. I know of a few families that match every Sunday, and I think it's so cute! But due to my lack of Sunday clothes, Michael and I wouldn't be able to do that but I thought that at least once a year we can go to church wearing the same colors and looking like twinners. I got him his first little Easter suit and I can't wait to dress him in it tomorrow! Ya...I know, I treat him like my little dolly, but I can't help it! It's SO fun!<br /><br />How grateful I am to know what Easter is all about...and as I say that, I still feel like there is so much more to learn about the atonement and what it really means. I've been looking forward to this day when all the Christians are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's the most important event that happened in the history of man...and I am eternally grateful.<br /><br />Happy Easter everyone! He is risen!Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-84975019346472614882011-02-24T14:20:00.001-08:002011-02-24T14:52:09.541-08:00Life as a Mommy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMObZFGRWNdxLkxRyxnJkpfbMa0P0XxWN9LaARIEWMfP6npPx20-oYzxoBNV33H7LHeZqDiHFsFwpzKlgRUFkgBYNM3OtDfCfdcLNX2HVqEeWok57mWU0EOr3gbF6WluceUrNgDqSUso/s1600/IMG_9509.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMObZFGRWNdxLkxRyxnJkpfbMa0P0XxWN9LaARIEWMfP6npPx20-oYzxoBNV33H7LHeZqDiHFsFwpzKlgRUFkgBYNM3OtDfCfdcLNX2HVqEeWok57mWU0EOr3gbF6WluceUrNgDqSUso/s400/IMG_9509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577391592005344946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">For a while I've been wanting to write about my life as a "Mommy"...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I've now been living the "Mommy" life for about 8 months now and it is </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >Heaven</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">. While I was pregnant, I tried to picture what it would be like, but it was too hard to imagine. I knew it would be great, but that's about it. I wondered how I would feel not working, not always running around from place to place (well, I still kinda do that) and having to slow down a little bit. As long as I could remember I have been living life in the fast lane. School, work, rehearsals, teaching, directing, shows...it's like the list </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >never ended</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">My life right now...I </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >teach</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> about 30 wonderful students voice and piano, I've started a "Fun With Music" class that I teach here at my house once a week (I have bigger plans for that in the future!) I'm still doing some </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">parties</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">/wedding/showers on the side, working for the Town of Apple Valley "part" time, feeding my creative outlet by </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >performing</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and doing </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >crafts</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> (it sounds so old fashioned, but I LOVE paper! hehe), being a good (or decent haha) </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >house wife</span></span> by cleaning, cooking, loving etc. and the best part...being a <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" >MOM</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">. I guess that still sounds like a lot, but my life really has slowed down!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I spend most of my day just being at </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >home</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">...some days I don't even leave the house! (Well...that's partly because I have students coming to me all day) but I still wouldn't change a thing. Before I was Mom, I couldn't even remember the last time I had a whole day to just be at home. I remember thinking to myself, I can't wait for the day when I get to wake up and think, "All I have to do today is take care of my little boy." Those days have finally come and it's a dream...if I could pick anything else in the world...I wouldn't. This is it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I love putting everything side and </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >playing</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> with my special little boy. Sometimes he attacks my face, and I could care less that my face ends up covered in slobber, and my hair all messed up. He usually throws up on me once a day, gets crabby whens he's tired, has hated going to sleep in his own bed, but he smiles, laughs, plays, loves his bath time, loves to explore, is curious...he's my little prince...he's perfect. Life as a Mommy...</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >perfect</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">.</span>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-82646169837855185682011-01-08T00:24:00.000-08:002011-01-08T07:24:20.247-08:00Operation: Crib<span style="font-family:verdana;">So for a the past few months I've been dreading putting Hunter in his own bed...because he's been sleeping in our bed pretty much from day one. He'd go in his bassinet every now and then, but he'd always want to nurse at night and so it made it difficult to get him out of our bed. When he turned six months I knew that it was time to let him grow up and for Mommy to let him go. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Once the holidays were over, and sleep overs at Grandma and Grandpa's were through, "Operation: Crib" was ready to be started.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Reasons why I did NOT look forward to starting "Operation: Crib"</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've heard quite a few horror stories about Mom's going through hours of their baby's crying it out. Or they learned how to pull themselves up, and then they couldn't figure out how to lay back down so they just cried and cried.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">The idea of not having him RIGHT next to me on the nights that Michael is gone REALLY freaked me out. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">The kid LOVES to nurse! 9 times out of 10 he'd nurse himself to sleep. He won't take a binky, he won't suck his thumb, but you better believe that he will nurse!!! I was afraid I'd created a nursing monster and that he wouldn't be able to sleep without me.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I did not expect it to be easy or go well...there have been nights where he'd scream and scream when it came time for bed, and he was sleeping with us! </span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I was afraid that maybe he'd wake up wanting to eat, and I'd have to nurse him (not that I don't like nursing...but sleep at night is nice too, especially since I don't take naps)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I was going to miss the hours of snuggling all night long. (You know how babies pretty much look like angels when they sleep, well it was so nice to just open my eyes and see his little angelic face.)</span></li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, the first night I started at about 7pm, and the bedtime routine was set. </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bath time (packed full of bath toys, and his que to know that bath time is over is kissing his little bath friends goodbye and goodnight!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jam Jam time (along with a mini baby massage, and his Disney lullaby CD starts to play)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bottle and "The Big Hungry Bear" </span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">A little nursing time and scripture reading.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bedtime prayers and then ni-night! (in bed by about 7:45. His mobile makes rainforest sounds and I leave on his lullaby CD until it runs out.)</span></li></ul></div></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I planned it all out, and that first night I hoped that it would all run smoothly and then we'd both be able to make the transition. Well...I did a little more than just hope...while I was getting him ready (and crying a little ha ha) I prayed for a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father. I prayed that Hunter would be okay, get a good night sleep, and basically be that good baby that every mother wishes for, and my prayer was answered. I love the times in my life when I ask for things that are somewhat simple, and may not be all that important, but Heavenly Father knew what I needed that night. I was granted one of the best tender mercy's I have ever received and I am indeed grateful. Since then Hunter has slept in his crib and it has been five days. He'll wake up once, maybe twice, but all I have to do is turn on his mobile and rub his little belly and then he'll fall back asleep. I found this to be pretty amazing for my little guy. He's not always the easiest baby, so when everything went so smoothly, I definitely knew it was because I prayed so hard! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm grateful for the wonderful six months that I got to spend with my little boy right by my side every single night, but I knew this time had to come and it's better for the both of us. It's a good thing he looks so cute in his little crib, and that I love him in his little room that I've decorated with such care, because that makes it a little easier to put him in there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Operation: Crib has been a success, and although I miss my little guy, we both get a good night's sleep and it had to happen sooner or later. So all you Mom's out there that might be struggling with this situation, I wish you sincere luck! It's not always easy, but we just gotta do it! (=</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">BTW Being a Mom is by far the best thing in the world!!!</span>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-29085858697093745702010-11-24T07:14:00.000-08:002010-11-24T07:18:01.162-08:00Making eggs...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeEYOaWbkjXTidKGhgkMkeqEXIVl07agar-7_ReT6hXaOkmQVy6FOmSW3Oi1CZn0gCHPF1UJ4LaXJ9h88cNwRyAs4GH7ISGGN4_FwsTXfCliyYfAFqgxeqEqgfLaSfu8phCOK972LgcA/s1600/Michael+%2526+Rosalie+182.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeEYOaWbkjXTidKGhgkMkeqEXIVl07agar-7_ReT6hXaOkmQVy6FOmSW3Oi1CZn0gCHPF1UJ4LaXJ9h88cNwRyAs4GH7ISGGN4_FwsTXfCliyYfAFqgxeqEqgfLaSfu8phCOK972LgcA/s400/Michael+%2526+Rosalie+182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543135373320431746" border="0" /></a><br />There has been something on my mind...<br /><br />A normal Sunday morning consists of me getting up and making breakfast for my one and only. Not too long ago, while standing at the stove, watching the eggs cook, I had a thought...<br /><br />I'm so glad that I'm making eggs for my love, and not for anyone else, and I don't EVER want to make eggs for anyone but him!<br /><br />Kind of a weird thought, but basically, I'm glad (complete understatement!!!!) that I married the person that I married and that there will never be anyone else but him...<br /><br />The reason why I stumbled upon this thought is because there is someone in my life who will never again make eggs for the one that she married...my heart is broken because of this, not only for her, but for the family that it is affecting. It is not because of death or loss, but because of separation...divorce.<br /><br />Now, every time I make eggs, I think about the person getting them, and no matter how hard times may seem, he will ALWAYS get the eggs that I make...Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-50334840226946508912010-09-20T05:20:00.000-07:002010-09-26T04:04:37.723-07:00The Price to Pay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLc6LyQrhdsnvc7_BvbKeTg3gOMRcydD1tFthyqVaySFOAp2bkiw-jSYwpcZCH9ckmU4Wy5a8BlkjslmXz3paDmMMZMzJTLdEUW3oKFFBmymokwOB7vMLTlj9B892ZZRiENQSGCjltNY/s1600/IMG_9520.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLc6LyQrhdsnvc7_BvbKeTg3gOMRcydD1tFthyqVaySFOAp2bkiw-jSYwpcZCH9ckmU4Wy5a8BlkjslmXz3paDmMMZMzJTLdEUW3oKFFBmymokwOB7vMLTlj9B892ZZRiENQSGCjltNY/s400/IMG_9520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521175880440878354" border="0" /></a>
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<br />It's 5 o' clock in the morning, and I'm lying here in bed with my beautiful son next to me and my handsome husband getting ready to go to SWAT training...This routine happens pretty much every other week, and although I'm grateful for the training that my husband is getting, I do wish that he could stay home and play with Hunter and I.
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<br />We just got back from our family vacation, and we are definitely being thrown back in to the "real world" pretty quickly. Michael starts his new position this week and although I am very excited and happy for him, it will be quite the change for our little family. He will be gone one extra day a week for a 4/10 work schedule, but those 4 days usually turn in to 5 or 6 days because of having to testify in court, taking gang classes, training, getting called out etc. Not to mention keeping up on his normal duties of SWAT.
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<br />I know it kind of seems like I'm complaining, or may be in need of a "pity party", but that's not the reason for this post...Honestly, I don't think I can pin point the reason why I'm writing this...I've never taken the time to write about Michael's job, but I thought that since he's starting his new specialized assignment, now would be a good time.
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<br />I would like to say that if you have a "normal" life, you should consider yourself lucky. What's normal? Having your husband home for dinner at least 3-5 times a week, not having to spend night after night by yourself, not wondering if your husband is going to come home from work because of what he has to do at work, being able to openly talk about what your husband does without worrying about the response your going to get, or whether or not it will benefit your family, not having to stand up for what he does, or not having to worry about hiding or locking away the "things" your husband uses at work. I'd say that those are all pretty normal things...I know that as newly weds, we will go through some rough patches or crazy schedules because of trying to get through school, or getting in to careers and what not, but my crazy schedule will pretty much last forever (well at least for a REALLY long time).
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<br />If I could have seen in to the future and see what my life was going to be like, would I still choose it? Well...yes, and no. Being a "cops wife" has definitely made me a stronger person, and has given me more faith than I have ever had, but it is hard...I am proud of Michael, and know that he has an honorable career, but there is definitely a price to pay.
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<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><b>"A P</b></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>olice <b>O</b>fficer's <b>W</b>ife<b>"</b> </em><em> <script language="JavaScript"> <!-- // Script for Crescendo MIDI playing. if (navigator.appName == "Netscape") { document.write('<embed type="music/crescendo" song="Wind_beneath_my_wings.mid" pluginspage="http://www.liveupdate.com/dl.html" height="16" width="16"></embed>') } else { if (navigator.appName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer") document.write('<object id="Crescendo" classid="clsid:0FC6BF2B-E16A-11CF-AB2E-0080AD08A326" height="16" width="16"> ') document.write('<param name="Song" value="Wind_beneath_my_wings.mid"></object>') } //--></script> </em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>A</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em> special kind of woman: a cut above the rest,
<br />That's A Police Officer's Wife, rating her best.</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>H</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>ow many good byes are whispered, joined with a fond embrace?
<br />As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>H</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>ow often have meals been ruined - or tender moments disturbed,
<br />by a call for special duty, sparking loyalty un-swerved?</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>I</strong></em></span><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);font-size:100%;" ><em>t's a devil of a job, for an angel like this,</em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>
<br /></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Who......for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss,</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>S</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>he can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need,
<br />How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>S</strong></em></span><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);font-size:100%;" ><em>he's mother, lover, chauffeur and nurse,</em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>
<br /></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>A living symbol of: "for better or for worse."</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong>R</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>ich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,
<br />Who chose to be the other half of</em></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);font-size:100%;" ><strong><i>A</i></strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><i> </i></span><i><b>P</b>olice <b>O</b>fficer's <b>W</b>ife</i>.</span></p>
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<br />Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-27066718649237990452010-09-11T20:17:00.000-07:002010-09-11T21:02:45.120-07:00Happy 26th Birthday to my Handsome man!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkbk6CuGLTSkG33ZUfQVkYMOHBKkS6zbUisrhhlzthF0HFfVheeywlAoCzpmxk3eCAWD-lkdwM2oKPJoex_H5j_qhTru9GR1BgzLVgYlRfTLS67Y4iE_gYN9pkh44gIlhA52szBDdSEg/s1600/P9280987.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkbk6CuGLTSkG33ZUfQVkYMOHBKkS6zbUisrhhlzthF0HFfVheeywlAoCzpmxk3eCAWD-lkdwM2oKPJoex_H5j_qhTru9GR1BgzLVgYlRfTLS67Y4iE_gYN9pkh44gIlhA52szBDdSEg/s400/P9280987.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515872160711350178" border="0" /></a><br />So today Michael turned 26...kinda weird, 4 years away from 30, but time just keeps moving quickly! I just wanted to dedicate this blog to him so that he knows he's special. (I try and make birthdays as special as I can, because it is the day to celebrate YOU and only you!)<br /><br />Ten facts about Michael<br /><ol><li>He loves to go shooting, golf, play and watch baseball (Go Angels!), fish, snow board and wake board.</li><li>He loves watches.</li><li>He loves learning about Navy Seals (and secretly wishes he was one but wouldn't put his family through that career choice), gangs, weapons, and most importantly, the gospel.<br /></li><li>His favorite foods are steak, steak...oh and steak. He also loves sushi and sea food.</li><li>He likes to watch cooking shows, (Master Chef, Hell's Kitchen, Iron Chef etc.), is a long time and loyal fan of The Simpsons, and also likes 30 Rock, House, Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond.<br /></li><li>He is a member of the SWAT and gang team for Rialto PD. He is the most brave and courageous person I know and will ever know.</li><li>He's the oldest of four siblings.</li><li>He's loves Harley Davidson. He has a Harley and a lot of Harley attire and accessories.</li><li>He loves Boxers (dogs) and takes really good care of our two very own Boxers, Reesy and Bruno.</li><li>And for the best fact of them all...He has a loving wife and adorable son who want to wish him a happy, happy, birthday!!</li></ol>Being that this is the first birthday that Michael has celebrated with our little Hunter, I thought I would take the opportunity to start a tradition. Every year, we'll pick out a book for them to share together. This year it was the "critters" book, "Me and My Dad" and "Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff". I LOVE traditions! (=Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-49624206980598305782010-09-06T20:06:00.000-07:002010-09-06T20:10:05.422-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgIzceFOzRbdqavVYOOQlaFBuJbb6_usQVrnYj-hJrgHyCpScpbsL39c4CVT3IkyMqmwFf9uS7e0g8YzxoMJ4hL5SZSLwMSP0-cStFEOyip0yxAFI8aD1ghpVzfPUqJ3z3dstS2UmDG8/s1600/IMG_0866%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514003537809834322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgIzceFOzRbdqavVYOOQlaFBuJbb6_usQVrnYj-hJrgHyCpScpbsL39c4CVT3IkyMqmwFf9uS7e0g8YzxoMJ4hL5SZSLwMSP0-cStFEOyip0yxAFI8aD1ghpVzfPUqJ3z3dstS2UmDG8/s400/IMG_0866%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinVKGewHU7vA1EZ37ETZM6EuwIacv90ECynZ3wo87JbKcckvx9_CTP1Zbuw8cOFPohlEp4s2PmO83NchFZCiqOQdjq1aaxcRWnOwMNJZfvrKgIEUh6_Y0ucQP0aXXshi3CZqIw4nvkRk/s1600/IMG_0864%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514003209223561266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinVKGewHU7vA1EZ37ETZM6EuwIacv90ECynZ3wo87JbKcckvx9_CTP1Zbuw8cOFPohlEp4s2PmO83NchFZCiqOQdjq1aaxcRWnOwMNJZfvrKgIEUh6_Y0ucQP0aXXshi3CZqIw4nvkRk/s400/IMG_0864%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111679200184020486.post-3244911095181684172010-08-26T20:46:00.000-07:002010-09-02T15:15:39.954-07:00Here I am! Two Months Old!!length: 23inches<br />weight: 11 lbs. 13 oz.<br />clothes:NB (although most NB jam-jams don't fit anymore because I'm too long) some 0-3/3-6, and I even try some 6 mo. clothes but they are still a little too baggy, but the length is close to my size.<br />diaper size: Still in size 1<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Ridiculously Good Looks</span></span><br /><br />My favorite thing about this month is that I'm starting to smile! I really started to smile at about 6 weeks. It's pretty nice to be able to express my happiness! I definitely smile the most at my Mommy and Daddy.<br /><br />My eyes are still a blue-ish, and it kind of looks like they are lightening up. Who knows what color they will be...<br /><br />My hair is looking lighter and lighter. It almost looks like there is some red in it. It's also thinning out a little bit. I hope it doesn't thin out too much. I really like my hair. I especially love the feel of the wind blowing through it. <br /><br />I'm getting pretty big...Sometimes my Daddy calls me fat boy ha ha ha My little thighs are getting a little chunky, along with the rest of my body. But I'm not too worried because I still keep growing in length. Baby fat is attractive right?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" >Discovering Life</span><br /><br /><ul><li>I'm starting to "coo" a lot! I'm still getting used to this whole using my voice thing but it's pretty fun because every time I make noises Mom and Dad seem to be SO fascinated! I really like to make noises when my Dad sings to me. I know that sounds sissy, but he sings manly songs like 70's rock songs and what not. </li><li>I am definitely a morning boy and I love waking up and playing. I'll whine until Mom picks me up and then she'll let me sit with her in bed. I wiggle, coo, smile, yawn...and then go back to sleep. I don't know if she appreciates me waking her up so early just to play with me for a little bit, but I just can't stand laying there. I need to get up and get all of my wiggles out and then I'm good to go. </li><li>I discovered my thumb! But I still don't have quite enough control to suck on it all the time, or maybe I just don't want to. I also just recently started enjoying my binky. Mommy's pretty happy about this. She says, "Put a cork in it!"</li><li>The comment I hear the most from people is, "Wow, he's SO alert!" I've been this way since day one. Bright eyed and bushy tailed! Mom thinks I'm going to give her a run for her money because of how alert and active I am. I also hear people say that I look older and bigger than I really am. I think it's my hair...or my handsome big boy face. </li><li>I've started to drool...a lot! Sometimes I soak the whole front of my onesie. I don't know why I do it, but I do...and I make bubbles with my drool too. That's pretty fun. </li><li>I like to stand when somebody is helping me keep my balance, and I stand the most when I'm upset. I don't know why, maybe it helps me get my frustration out. </li><li>I am NOT a fan of tummy time. My arms aren't that strong yet so I can't hold myself up all the way. I just lay there and whine so my Mommy feels bad for me and picks me up.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" >My Adventures</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My Blessing</span><br />This month I was blessed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My Dad blessed me, and gave me my name. It will be one of the greatest experiences in my life. My Mom's cousin Jesse Pew, best friend Phil Clevinger, Grandpa Mastaler, and Great Uncle Bill Hackett all stood in the circle. Mom's best friend Julie Gilmer and her family were there, her good friends Jeff and Kelly Hume, Trent, Ammiel, the whole Pew clan and of course my Grandparents. I felt very loved and I'm so grateful for the blessing that my Dad gave me. It was a very special day. My Mom even got up and bore her testimony. I remember that she said that the best thing she will be able to give her children is to live her life the best she can so that we may be able to know Christ through her. I am grateful for her testimony.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Church</span><br />Now that I'm older, I get to go to church every Sunday! I love it! I haven't made it through one sacrament without crying yet, but at least I hold it in until the meeting is almost over. And then i go to primary with my Mommy and it's a lot of fun being with all of the primary kids. My Mom teaches the 8-9 yr. old girls. They always smile at me and tell me how cute I am! One sunday, the Bishops son told my Mom, "What a cute baby you have!" What a sweet little boy! Oh and my first time going to church for all three meetings, they reorganized the Bishopric! That was REALLY neat to see. I'm so grateful to be a part of this church.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Park</span><br />I went to the park for the first time for Jeff and Kelly Hume's going away barbeque. It was pretty exciting. I was so excited that I couldn't even eat! (And I was pretty hungry too!)I met a lot of Mommy's friends and it was a lot fun.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">National Night Out</span><br />This month I got to see Daddy at work! I saw him in his SWAT uniform, with all of his guns and everything. They did a demonstration with there big SWAT trucks. It was REALLY neat! My Daddy is my hero!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Victoria Gardens</span><br />I had a little shopping date with my Mom and Auntie. We saw puppies, went to the scrap book store, the shoe store, the book store and so much more! I did pretty well for my first big shopping experience but I got a little bit cranky towards the end and didn't want to be pushed in my stroller anymore.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Costco</span><br />So there's this thing called my car seat...and I don't like it at all!! It is for the car...and that's it! If you take me out of the car in my car seat, I won't last very long. Mom thought she'd take me to Costco and leave me in my car seat while she shopped around, and I made her pay by screaming my head off when we got in line. Everyone stared at her and she was pretty embarrassed. I do feel kinda bad...but I just can't stand my car seat!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Play Dates</span><br />I was babysat by Grandpa for the first time! Also, Ammiel (Mommy's good friend) and Dawn (one of my Mommy's students Mommy's)babysat me too! I get passed around while Mommy teaches her piano and voice students. I don't mind it. I like all my friends. Also, Grandma watched me while Mom and Dad went out for their four year anniversary. It was their first date since I was born. I'm glad they go on dates. That's what Mommy and Daddy's need. I can't for their five year anniversary. We are going to go to Disneyworld, (We are going also because Uncle Scotty's coming home from his mission) and they are bringing me with them! It's going to be a whole family affair! I can't wait!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Who ever thought so much could happen in two months and I'm sure I'm forgetting things. My Mom can't believe how so much fits in to such a short amount of time. I can tell that my Mom is starting to get a routine down. She's also getting used to being a stay at home Mom. Although she teaches a lot of students, she still spends a lot of time with me and at home. That's definitely the way it should be, because I love her a lot and I'm glad that she's the one taking care of me. Although Daddy is at work most of the time, I get to see him a lot too. I love my family so much and I'm really grateful to be in such a good home. </span>Mas*tailor* made in Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15897762898862034806noreply@blogger.com5