tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41312881263856663412024-03-05T12:14:58.894-08:00The Katherine WheelLaugh. Learn. Repeat.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.comBlogger843125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-25488092678858065252016-09-21T09:31:00.002-07:002016-09-21T09:31:48.801-07:00Getting BackI've spent most of the last year convincing myself that I've been too busy to write, too busy to do anything other than just hunker down and survive the overwhelming day to day. Part of that feeling is because blogging isn't just writing- there is a whole social component that goes along with it. And I'm not sure I'm ready to jump into that.<br />
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What I do know is that I must start writing again. No necessarily to be read, to be shared, to be commented on, but just to start creating again. Getting back to having something tangible come from my thoughts. Along that same line, I'm hoping to start painting and editing photos again. I've been stifling my creative side for the sake of to-do lists, and it's been unhealthy.<br />
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This last year has brought a lot of change. Sometimes, I look at myself and think that the me of even just two years ago would be surprised.<br />
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I've started running in earnest. I've run two half marathons this year. I've started trail running. I've gotten over the anxiety of being slow and feel like I can actually call myself a runner.<br />
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I've fallen in love with home gardening. My gardening technique is "plant and pray," because I had no real plan or understanding of gardening. Fortunately, my unjustifiable optimism in the spring translated to bountiful harvests nearly all summer.<br />
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As a family, we've continued to road trip, to deserts and forests and bright blue lakes.<br />
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Bug is nearly as tall as I am.<br />
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I would love to say that as a family, we are settling in well with all the changes the last year and a half as brought. But that wouldn't be true. We're struggling getting a social network set up. My boys are struggling making friends. We still feel overwhelmed by the size and scope of being in a bigger city. <br />
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So we keep to what works for us, what makes us feel grounded. Dinner times as a family. Long walks in nature.<br />
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And for me, getting back to writing.<br />
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Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-58687964995293367142015-11-12T13:17:00.000-08:002015-11-12T13:17:39.580-08:00Everything Has a SeasonThings have been quiet here around my blog.<br />
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Everything has a season, and it's not blog season in my life.<br />
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It has been a season for celebrating Monkey turning 9...<br />
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And Hubster turning 40...<br />
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And for 80s parties...<br />
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And for Color Runs...<br />
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And lantern festivals...<br />
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And friends visiting...<br />
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And long autumn runs...<br />
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And hikes way up into the mountains...<br />
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And for building tree houses...<br />
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And for adopting a new kitten...<br />
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And for making Doctor Who Halloween costumes...<br />
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And for making big career choices and painting bedrooms and reading anesthesiology journals and rocking Duck to bed and getting not enough sleep and being behind on laundry and visits with family and game nights and menu planning and long parent teacher conferences and middle school science projects.<br />
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I'm still working on that elusive work-life-family-exercise balance that I'm more and more convinced doesn't exist. I've been pulled in more and more directions than every before. How did I ever have time to just sit and write before?<br />
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I may find small quiet moments (like I did today) to share a few moments. But mostly, I'm taking a break from one more thing on my to-do list. Because all the story times and evening workouts and over night shifts and crock pot meal preps and just being there for my children is what is important right now. It is the season for just being there. It's the season for <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/01/2015-word-of-year.html">being present</a>.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-56320013031536329762015-10-26T15:21:00.002-07:002015-10-26T15:47:18.748-07:00Our Pumpkin Tradition<span id="goog_1296503445"></span><span id="goog_1296503446"></span>Between the flurry of adjusting to new work schedules and new school and the ridiculous amount of homework that comes with older children, we are still trying to keep our family fall traditions.<br>
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It's actually felt a little hard to do that this year. Fall is making me extremely homesick for Iowa. I miss the apple orchard and fall walks about the lake. I miss the small town pumpkin patch.<br>
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This year, we made our way to a huge corn maze. The boys enjoyed the very large maze, which was actually a little challenging.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvabGwa3mYSwgiLypypbM03wYdtYVf1SO-z0NxF48_YFMOznN_Vs6mfOcAN2DQBNOcaOe_Uv9LT-kVRtan_m_lOGNQk7sq8okCScnQwfg6aigAomH6fD1UfTCAXLn3AXFroENaCG_B30Fx/s640/blogger-image-1180770419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvabGwa3mYSwgiLypypbM03wYdtYVf1SO-z0NxF48_YFMOznN_Vs6mfOcAN2DQBNOcaOe_Uv9LT-kVRtan_m_lOGNQk7sq8okCScnQwfg6aigAomH6fD1UfTCAXLn3AXFroENaCG_B30Fx/s640/blogger-image-1180770419.jpg"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsFU3myWjWdmwyvLv4snymDmvmcaRO9VkIUoYZPKP2GdxKqgrud9BSdol88b4aCrgyfxmyKRgbZ54h66I318yykLqViqN-CiacY4_PbtvEmBftvU9_0b8HyNjMaNc6Q9xAiaglqWLDpZK/s640/blogger-image-913806798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsFU3myWjWdmwyvLv4snymDmvmcaRO9VkIUoYZPKP2GdxKqgrud9BSdol88b4aCrgyfxmyKRgbZ54h66I318yykLqViqN-CiacY4_PbtvEmBftvU9_0b8HyNjMaNc6Q9xAiaglqWLDpZK/s640/blogger-image-913806798.jpg"></a></div><br>There where quite a few other activities- slides, trains, and such, which were don't with varying almounts of enjoyment (Duck did not like the slide or the corn pit). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lfg5yrwP732PY0ecwtTMmRgECOvgtvPXqew1TTekzqXY8lz_SvGwzW0wl__Ag5qyWf9zkUt0rx4BUlSqZr1PAnzP0RSkxj3ALjdGDy-IjLLIiJ0XpMj08J-hBmSmSW3xAKUXzLGtxB5i/s640/blogger-image-391948782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lfg5yrwP732PY0ecwtTMmRgECOvgtvPXqew1TTekzqXY8lz_SvGwzW0wl__Ag5qyWf9zkUt0rx4BUlSqZr1PAnzP0RSkxj3ALjdGDy-IjLLIiJ0XpMj08J-hBmSmSW3xAKUXzLGtxB5i/s640/blogger-image-391948782.jpg"></a></div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXz_kfan1Qr8n5FhjxST8vhU5E1iWB8SEXn_Q3PI47_w8JI_hOzvmw2ACUx2Qdsl79gQERgR-TAOOmHg4Ouc1cax-W0nzYO06CQUzmNiu9vuGH05dk9PEXrYv9kfUM3Vo6OvK6GLr9bnZ/s640/blogger-image-1749939016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXz_kfan1Qr8n5FhjxST8vhU5E1iWB8SEXn_Q3PI47_w8JI_hOzvmw2ACUx2Qdsl79gQERgR-TAOOmHg4Ouc1cax-W0nzYO06CQUzmNiu9vuGH05dk9PEXrYv9kfUM3Vo6OvK6GLr9bnZ/s640/blogger-image-1749939016.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_LErroqna-saqJg1sFvQDkaOUUnJfktjhLAF8-OKZ5tVNzIg0ZnEkxhUXLIFLNosdvdialLux7olRWDYy8F4oc6oy-YK7BFc5cvGd_R9Pd8tMPGkpd6VhBC9lylakVAPk7geeUDhaOiz/s640/blogger-image-1213369257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_LErroqna-saqJg1sFvQDkaOUUnJfktjhLAF8-OKZ5tVNzIg0ZnEkxhUXLIFLNosdvdialLux7olRWDYy8F4oc6oy-YK7BFc5cvGd_R9Pd8tMPGkpd6VhBC9lylakVAPk7geeUDhaOiz/s640/blogger-image-1213369257.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexjZdb7sDd5sTe_QfjGYNy8ftRfM74w1bfK18f2kakDjW-nvV1i6QJFAn6dSDZ1bmAx_p1Ml97YTDtBp2Re8eOKLRzzBOF8Ur9wBK9L74KX4YfX1aw-vrfmZWmMVWlBfJD_O1KbyPgM8c/s640/blogger-image-616297244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexjZdb7sDd5sTe_QfjGYNy8ftRfM74w1bfK18f2kakDjW-nvV1i6QJFAn6dSDZ1bmAx_p1Ml97YTDtBp2Re8eOKLRzzBOF8Ur9wBK9L74KX4YfX1aw-vrfmZWmMVWlBfJD_O1KbyPgM8c/s640/blogger-image-616297244.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
However, as the afternoon progressed, the area got very crowded and we all became overwhelmed by the number of people. We decided to call it a day much earlier than anticipated.<br>
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We did still get pumpkins from a local farm. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrSFnbD6y1lkjgg3ReERtf3GJkTEtR-6F4fT-vSUdOB9uWA1nBihL4OQ8uW2rHV5rsnZpdVhrLpNKCV2-UDpLNgOpq7_61OIgDAC6Kkd6uJqEuop1MKLTC_kmiNIvFpRjC24okXqbTHXh/s640/blogger-image-1800984420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrSFnbD6y1lkjgg3ReERtf3GJkTEtR-6F4fT-vSUdOB9uWA1nBihL4OQ8uW2rHV5rsnZpdVhrLpNKCV2-UDpLNgOpq7_61OIgDAC6Kkd6uJqEuop1MKLTC_kmiNIvFpRjC24okXqbTHXh/s640/blogger-image-1800984420.jpg"></a></div><br>
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This weekend, we sat down to carve them.<br>
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Our traditional, slightly over the top pumpkin carving is even more fun now that the older boys can pick out their own patterns and clean and carve their own pumpkins (although they both are surprisingly squeamish about pumpkin guts.)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnal1liK7IN_0tA7rtA3QN1JdJzV1HmxTU4gMnvRxS10uqTvU4kJhHilDGQRPEz5R2It4RwzwS0Ddq2QKsCjtxkHlksYKVrhuQE0E0yqx8OIX0iUbNCb3kQMppfuz5rlWHz60zHfmGD3/s640/blogger-image--236510799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnal1liK7IN_0tA7rtA3QN1JdJzV1HmxTU4gMnvRxS10uqTvU4kJhHilDGQRPEz5R2It4RwzwS0Ddq2QKsCjtxkHlksYKVrhuQE0E0yqx8OIX0iUbNCb3kQMppfuz5rlWHz60zHfmGD3/s640/blogger-image--236510799.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Monkey choose a simple Minecraft Creeper face, because he wanted to make sure he picked something he could do himself.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik9fVjwX0ApLlrLKR-sZ25K5FjL3ziWYlCeew7Xc21MVlPJIszPl7AaYcbxGuq_GROj7YYkJ8wVF2Ecgz-hsU_f3kTJMqPcdA4mjgHjoKetAiZhGTQpe8WtEcl08dKI6JBaEWi61Tw0Ho/s640/blogger-image-972059987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik9fVjwX0ApLlrLKR-sZ25K5FjL3ziWYlCeew7Xc21MVlPJIszPl7AaYcbxGuq_GROj7YYkJ8wVF2Ecgz-hsU_f3kTJMqPcdA4mjgHjoKetAiZhGTQpe8WtEcl08dKI6JBaEWi61Tw0Ho/s640/blogger-image-972059987.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Bug carved Grumpy Cat.<br>
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Hubster carved Wall-E for Duck (and this one is probably my favorite.)<br>
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After waffling between several designs like I do every year, I picked a Weeping Angel to match my costume this year (we are doing a themed family dress up this year, and I'm obnoxiously excited about it.)<br>
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Hubster settled on Gollum (after I didn't give a enthusiastic response to his Dumb and Dumber stencil.) Gollum does seem to have a little more creepy Halloween feel anyways.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc4skgNfFfyysP6bmGAwvRikG-_YclHxeS7zPx2TqNTo18Ji_QjaqlcmWZXd54gTDalcF74WDvZx2gHmgOSG9EkI-IWNQx7oquBF3rMIBRf7H4jSzOAmjZq1dXAq4U0C9Ml_EmNbRxP7V/s640/blogger-image--1345871524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc4skgNfFfyysP6bmGAwvRikG-_YclHxeS7zPx2TqNTo18Ji_QjaqlcmWZXd54gTDalcF74WDvZx2gHmgOSG9EkI-IWNQx7oquBF3rMIBRf7H4jSzOAmjZq1dXAq4U0C9Ml_EmNbRxP7V/s640/blogger-image--1345871524.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Now, the pumpkins are settled on the front porch, with all of us just hoping that they make it to Halloween.</div></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-15819319962234421902015-09-30T10:09:00.001-07:002015-09-30T10:09:36.673-07:00Still Going: Fitness, Food, and New PantsSeveral months ago, I shared what I consider <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/04/getting-fitbit.html">the beginning of my fitness journey</a>. I say beginning, because it was the first time I have felt successful with changes in my lifestyle. I've <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2009/03/give-it-up.html">tried in the past,</a> <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/search/label/Wendesday%20Weigh-in">multiple times,</a> <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2009/04/throwing-in-towel.html">without any real results</a>. But after getting serious back in the spring about my health, I've really made some progress.<br />
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I'm still on this journey. After <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/search/label/Wendesday%20Weigh-in">multiple starts and stops</a>, I was starting to feel that I would never been able to change my body, that I would never be able to lose weight or meet certain fitness goals. But now, I'm seeing results and changes and am determined to keep going.<br />
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I'm still as in love with my FitBit as I was back then. I've only missed my step goal a few days in the last couple months. The competitive nature, both with myself and with other FitBit users, really motivates me to get out there and move to meet my goals.<br />
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I'm still logging my meals into MyFitnessPal. I've missed up couple days here and there, but currently have a 95 day streak going. With all the awareness on what I'm eating, I'm making healthier choices, adding more protein and less junk. It's much easier to pass on the doughnuts and rice crispy treats at work when I see how many calories they add to my day.<br />
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I'm still running. But I'm adding in new workouts. I found an online fitness group that has provided so much inspiration and motivation. Because of the great advice I've gotten there, I've added weights to my day (free weight reps and push ups while watching TV in the evening). I can finally do a push up with my knees off the ground, which I was never able to do before. I've added intervals to my runs, which has increased my pace and endurance. I've started Bikini Body Mommy, which despite it's rather silly name, is a great, short workout. And I've convinced Hubster, Bug, and Monkey to do the workouts with me.<br />
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With all these changes, I was able to reach my first fitness goal of a normal BMI. I rewarded myself with a small little trip to Sephora.<br />
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I'm still losing weight. I'm down over 30 pounds since I started. I'm much stronger and am starting to see actually muscles on my previous noodley arms.<br />
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My pants, which I had previously had to jump and wiggle into, not only started to fit, but then got much too big and even a belt didn't make them wearable (but rather like I was wearing pleated, drawstring jeans.)<br />
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I finally gave into to the realization that I would have to buy new clothes (which I know sounds ridiculous, but I seriously hate clothes shopping.) I tried on pants and realized I fit into pants 2 sizes smaller! I haven't worn that size in 8 years!<br />
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I still have more work to do. I have a goal of losing another 20 pounds, which will put me at pre-second baby weight. I'm not aiming for pre-all baby weight, because I was actually underweight before I had my children.<br />
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But my goals are just those I can see on the scale. I want to do more push ups, a real pull up, run a half marathon, and maybe have some visible abs. I want to run around with my kids and not get tired. I want to set positive examples on healthy eating and body image for my children.<br />
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I want to make these changes not a temporary diet, but an ongoing lifestyle.<br />
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Posted, not just as an update on how things are going, but as part of the 12X30 challenge, hosted by Kenzie at <a href="http://www.chasingmyextraordinary.com/september-exercise-12x30-challenge/">Chasing My Extraordinary</a>, and Angie at <a href="http://mysocalledchaos.com/2015/09/september-12x30-challenge-exercise.html">My So-Called Chaos</a>.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-34438258797767516662015-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:002015-09-02T10:50:17.459-07:00Road Trip Recap Part 5: Arriving in UtahSeptember, and the end of summer, is now upon us, so it looks like time to wrap up this recap. About time, I know.<br />
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After our three wonderful, phone-less, internet-less, days in Yellowstone, we started heading south.<br />
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Our initial plan trips had included a day at Grand Teton National Park. However, we had used that day to spend extra time in Yellowstone. So our time in the Grand Tetons included a quick stop along side the road to change Duck out of vomit covered clothes while the older boys balanced on a rickety wooden fence over a ditch, neither of which didn't make me very happy.<br />
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After gazing at the stunning mountains for a few minutes, we promised ourselves we would return and give this national park its due diligence.<br />
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But breakfast at Jackson Hole was calling very loudly, so we headed on to the charming town, complete with it's antler arches and excellent pastries.<br />
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That afternoon, we crossed into our final state: Utah. <br />
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We took a small unplanned stop at Flaming Gorge to let the boys go swimming, since we had made excellent time. The hot weather, red rocks, and water made for a great break from all the driving.<br />
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Our last night on the road was spent in Vernal, Utah.<br />
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The next morning, we back tracked a little to Dinosaur National Monument.<br />
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With the promise of fossils and petroglyphs, it was easy to see why our boys were looking forward to this stop. Even though none of us could have guessed that Duck's favorite part was going to be the shuttle ride to the viewing center. <br />
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The encased rock wall saturated with fossils was an impressive sight. The amount of preservation and detail awed my boys.<br />
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Getting to touch an actual dinosaur fossil was the cherry on top.<br />
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We then drove through the desert, stopping to view ancient petroglyphs (all while keeping a tight hold on the toddler who apparently had destruction of ancient history on his mind.)<br />
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With our last planned stop completed, it was time to head to Salt Lake City and our new home.<br />
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We hit the valley right at rush hour. As we sat there, stuck in traffic, with smoggy air partially obscuring the mountains from view, I had a small moment of tears, wondering if we had made the right decision. Everything seemed loud and busy and dirty and overwhelming.<br />
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Hubster, seeing my momentary distress, held my hand until we pulled up to our new address, a place we had only seen twice before.<br />
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We managed a quick family picture before the chaos of unloading and moving in began. One quick snap shot commemorating the end of the trip and the start of everything else.<br />
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<br />Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-3281997494132306822015-08-26T11:09:00.000-07:002015-08-26T11:09:19.129-07:00Road Trip Recap Part 4: Wyoming (but mostly Yellowstone)My recap of our summer road trip is taking longer than the actual trip!<br />
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After several days in South Dakota, it was time to head to our next state: Wyoming. Hubster was significantly less enthused about this portion of the trip, since he had been to different parts of Wyoming and been less than impressed. I was determined to show him how amazing this state could be.<br />
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Our first stop was Devil's Tower.<br />
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We arrived in the early morning, just after the sun came up and before there was anyone else there. With the cool temperatures, near complete quiet, walking through the Native American prayer flags up the the tower itself made for an almost spiritual moment.<br />
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And then our boys went screaming and yelling along the trail.<br />
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We didn't complete the entire trail about the base of the tower, but got a nice, small walk in. We finished up just as the crowds started showing up, so our timing couldn't have been better.<br />
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Our drive took us through Sheridan, over the Big Horn Mountains, and through Lovell. Throughout the drive through the mountains, I kept telling Hubster how beautiful everything was and didn't he just love the part of Wyoming.<br />
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And then we got to the other side of the mountains, and it was dry and flat and quite unimpressive. Hubster instantly got back on his "I hate Wyoming" kick. He kept saying the Yellowstone better be pretty impressive to make up for this part.<br />
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Well, we got into Yellowstone that evening, and even Hubster agreed that Yellowstone more than made up for any part of Wyoming he didn't like.<br />
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No matter how much we love each stop on our trips, each trip seems to have a main destination. This trip, that destination was definitely Yellowstone. Driving into the park and overlooking Yellowstone Lake, there was such a sense of adventure and wildness and we couldn't wait to get going.<br />
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Our first evening, we stopped at the mud volcanoes. I had tried to describe to the boys the smell of sulfur that came with the geothermal features of Yellowstone. Apparently, I hadn't done enough mental prep with them, because Monkey was in tears on how badly the mud volcanoes smelt. He wouldn't even finish the walk around them.<br />
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After that initial fiasco, we decided to do something more his speed: animal watching in Hayden Valley. Somehow we timed our drive through the valley perfectly and all the stars aligned, because we saw bison, elk, a grizzly (from quite far away), and a wolf!<br />
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We continued to make our way through the back up to our cabin by Mammoth Hot Springs. It was the cutest double cabin! I wish that we had been able to spend our whole time in Yellowstone at that cabin, but because it was one of the busiest times of the year, we had to split our time between two different cabins.<br />
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Our first full day in Yellowstone was focused on geothermal sites. Paint pots, hot springs, geysers, and everything else hot, boiling, and sulfur-y.<br />
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Monkey (mostly) got over his aversion to the smell, and actually started to enjoy the amazing colors and other-worldly landscape.<br />
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Our last stop of the day was the iconic Old Faithful! We passed the time waiting for the next eruption by eating ice cream and chasing Duck through the crowds.<br />
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Then, just as predicted, Old Faithful put on a magnificent show.<br />
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Our second day in the first National Park started with a quick tour of Mammoth Hot Springs.<br />
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After that, it was a day of canyons and water falls.<br />
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We even braved the hike down into Yellowstone Grand Canyon to the top of the Lower Falls. The scene was completely majestic and worth every step.<br />
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Along the way, we continued to wrack up the animal sitings, adding moose, a family of river otters, and several black bears (including one with two cubs!) to our list.<br />
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That night, we made our way to our next cabin next to Yellowstone Lake.<br />
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We had initially planned to spend the next day at the Grand Tetons, but we were so caught up in the fun and awe of Yellowstone, we decided to spend a third, slower paced day in the park.<br />
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The boys spent hours throwing rocks into the Lake.<br />
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We drove again through Hayden Valley, marveling at all the wildlife and huge herds of bison, (adding a mule deer buck and a coyote to our sitings.)<br />
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A large storm came through in the afternoon, bringing hail and lightening, so our last evening was spent snuggling in our little yellow cabin, playing card games and reading stories. <br />
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It is worth mentioning that during our entire time at Yellowstone, we had no cell phone service. We were completely off the grid for 3 entire days. At first, it was anxiety producing and such an odd feeling. But I was actually grateful for the break from technology to just enjoy the beauty and wildness of Yellowstone National Park.<br />
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Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-90640896233199156742015-08-24T12:06:00.001-07:002015-08-24T12:06:10.234-07:00Road Trip Recap Part 3: South DakotaYou know your spouse really loves you when you tell them that nearly half of your summer vacation is going to be spent in South Dakota, and they just smile and say it sounds wonderful. <br />
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Turns out, South Dakota is pretty wonderful.<br />
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Our first evening was in Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota. Initially, we had planned on using it as a place to stay the night at. But a friend told us to makes sure we took the time to see the Falls.<br />
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We are glad we did. The park around the falls was lovely, the falls were beautiful, and the old mill structure was interesting. We spent a lovely evening walking along the river and waterfalls, an evening that would have otherwise been spent being lazy in a hotel room.<br />
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The next day, we continued our drive west across the state.<br />
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We made a quick stop at The Corn Palace, a basketball arena/souvenir shop decorated in, yep, corn!<br />
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After that stop, we debated about making the slight northward jaunt to see the state capitol, Pierre. On our last summer road trip, we made an effort to see the state capitol of each state we drove through. Once we saw that we would also drive through the Pierre Grasslands, we decided the extra mileage was worth it.<br />
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Driving through the grasslands, there is nothing but gently rolling hills. At one time, I would have found this type of landscape boring and monotonous, but now, I find it soothing and quieting.<br />
I'm glad my children have the opportunity to stand in places without buildings, without crowds, and just feel wide open empty spaces with nothing but sky and grass and themselves.<br />
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Pierre itself wasn't much, as with a population of less than 14,000, it is the second smallest state capitol. We got there during capitol building hours, and I couldn't help but want to peak inside. The inside was bright and beautiful and well worth the extra little drive.<br />
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That evening, we arrived in Wall, famous for the much advertised Wall Drug (as we drove past hundreds of billboards for the place). I'm completely not above a good, kitschy tourist trap! Wall Drug is strange and eclectic and honestly a little fun. The kids sat on a jackalope, we drank the free (and not so good) water, we ate donuts and got our free bumper sticker.<br />
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One of our goals on this road trip was to see as many national parks/sites as possible. The first one on our list was Badlands. We had heard so many amazing things about this place and the boys were excited to do some hiking. When we woke up to pouring rain, the disappointment was palpable. We decided we would still drive through the park, but that hiking was out of the questions.<br />
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Even in the rain, Badlands was impressive. The colors may not have been as vivid as if it had been sunny, but the scenic outlooks were just as stunning. There is no other place like it, with its striped, jagged ridges and winding crevices. We even braved the wind and rain to run out to the end of some lookouts for better views. Bug and Monkey were so entranced by the terrain, they still begged for hiking even with the cold soggy weather (of course, we had to say no, since we were barely equipped for leisurely day hiking, let alone serious muddy trekking.)<br />
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After driving from one end of the park to the other in the rain and making our way back to our little cabin rental to warm up and dry off and eat, the rain let up in the evening. So, we hopped into the van for a sunset pajama tour of the park. It was well worth it, as we saw huge families of prairie dogs, herds of big horn sheep, vultures, and some of the stunning colors we were hoping for.<br />
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The next stop was maybe the most iconic of all South Dakota sites: Mount Rushmore. Hubster and the boys had actually stopped here a couple of years ago when they had gone to visit Hubster's family in Montana, but it was my first time and I was pretty exciting. It seems that some faces carved in rock might be dull, but there is something so majestic about the monument and the feat of engineering and artistry, that I couldn't help but feel a little more patriotic and in love with this country of ours.<br />
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After the morning spent at Mount Rushmore, we continued further into the Black Hills and stopped by Crazy Horse Monument. This work in progress was well worth the time. Almost as a reply to the Mount Rushmore that the Native Americans have their heroes as well, this stop allowed us to marvel again at incredibly engineering and talk to our boys about some of the more difficult aspects of our country's history. <br />
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I don't think that this monument will be finished during my life time, as they are working solely on donations and visitor fees to construct the memorial that will be much larger than Mount Rushmore. However, the vision and effort are valiant and made for a very memorable stop.<br />
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We spent the remainder of the day exploring the Black Hills by going to Custer State Park. Here, we maneuvered narrow roads and narrower tunnels along the Needles Highway (at one point, Hubster got out of the car to make sure the van was indeed going to fit through one of the tunnels.) <br />
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Because we didn't get to do any hiking at Badlands, we took advantage of sunny weather and intriguing rock formations and did a lovely small hike to Cathedral Spire.<br />
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After that adventure, we continued to drive through the park, taking in the thick forests and grasslands. I almost convinced Hubster to stop so we could feed the wild burros, but no such luck!<br />
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After three lovely days of South Dakota, it was time to continue our journey. But I must say, South Dakota knows how to impress!<br />
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<br />Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-14203947463348991892015-08-17T14:48:00.002-07:002015-08-17T14:48:15.350-07:00Road Trip Recap Part 2: OmahaStopping at Omaha wasn't part of the initial road trip plan, as it would add an extra day to our trip. But we could think of a couple good reasons to make this stop. First, it would break the travel up, which is key when traveling with kids. And second, both Hubster and I couldn't wait to watch Duck at the zoo.<br />
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It ended up being a good thing our first real stop was Omaha, since we got out of Iowa City quite a bit later than was ideal. Had we gone on to South Dakota as we initially planned, we wouldn't have made it there until much past dark. However, we made it to Omaha at a very reasonable time, had a lovely dinner, and got to bed at a time that none of us were tired the next day.<br />
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While I'm sure that Omaha has tons to offer, we were there for only one main purpose: the Henry Doorly Zoo. We had been several years earlier, pre-Duck addition to the family. The older boys only vaguely remembered it. Hubster and I remembered it as one of the best zoos we had been too.<br />
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Our memories served us well, because the zoo was phenomenal.<br />
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We strolled through jungle scapes, walking over rope bridges and behind waterfalls with free flying bats and birds around us (and only losing Duck once.)<br />
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We wandered through the ever impressive Desert Dome.<br />
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We watched penguins for the longest time.<br />
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We had lunch outside while we listened to howler monkeys.<br />
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We saw newly born baby sea lions and orangutans that were so darling the boys had to drag me away. Hubster does not share my enthusiasm for adopting all baby animals.<br />
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We stood quietly, impressed by gorillas and tigers and rhinos. We saw aardvarks and echidnas and sloths and armadillos. <br />
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We have been to many zoos, and seen the same type of animals countless times and every time, my children are enthusiastic, interested, and awed. It's a wonderful reminder to not became jaded, because the world and all the living things in it are amazing.<br />
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This stop may have added extra time to our road trip, but it was well worth it.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-29577959094715217822015-08-03T12:54:00.001-07:002015-08-03T12:54:15.309-07:00Road Trip Recap Part 1: Leaving IowaSlowly but surely, I'm finding the time to sit down and process all the changes we've been through in the last couple months. (Even as more changes keep coming our direction!) Unfortunately, with my new schedule and work load, I have only been able to find one day a week to sit down and write about it. After catching up on some essentials (I was not going to miss <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/07/teenager.html">Bug's 13th birthday</a>), it's finally time to write about the exciting events of our summer.<br />
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When <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-only-constant-is-change.html">we found out we would be moving</a> to Salt Lake City, we decided early on to combine our move with our love of road tripping, and make the transition from Iowa to Utah a vacation. We planned out a 10 day road trip covering as many places as we could between the two states. <br />
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With our road trip last year, I summarized <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2014/07/road-trip-reminiscing.html">the whole thing</a> in one enormous post. This time, I'm going to split it up, not just to make things manageable, but so that I can selfishly indulge in more details.<br />
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But before we could leave on this trip, we had to pack up and leave our home.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(How I felt about this process)</span></i></div>
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I had gone through various stages of mourning about <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/03/dear-buyers.html">leaving our Iowa home</a>. It was our first home, where we had gone from a family of 4 to a family of 5, adopted our cats, and survived residency. The first time we didn't share walls and floors and ceilings with other people. The first time we could paint and renovate and fall in love with a house.<br />
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We had been paring things down as the house went on the market; all our family photos were packed, most the boys' artwork and toys already in boxes. I was dreading the rest of the packing. But as the movers came the first day and finished the packing, I did ok. I was busy chasing Duck around and answering questions about what should be packed and what was staying.<br />
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However, any stoic leanings left the next morning as the moving truck showed up. As soon as the movers started carrying boxes out of the house, I couldn't contain my emotions. I stood in the kitchen, the movers working hard around me, and just let the tears flow. That house felt like family, and I felt like I was abandoning it and all the memories we made there.<br />
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There was also the small issue of not actually having a place to live in Utah. Our home loan was still in processing, and each day, I spent hours and hours on the phone and they kept requesting more and more documents. We were supposed to close on a Thursday, and that day came and went. On Friday, they asked for more paperwork. That afternoon, all our things left for Utah, with us planning on following in a few days. Monday morning, the day we were leaving the state, they called and asked for more clarification. At that point, I was frantic. We were hitting the road in just over an hour, and it looked like we might be homeless since the loan officer wasn't sure the loan approval would go through.<br />
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As I was doing a final cleaning of the house, mopping the kitchen floor and washing the counters, and Hubster was loading the last few things into the van, I got yet another call from the mortgage company. This time, it was to say the loan approval had just gone through.<br />
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Once again, I found myself standing in the kitchen crying, but this time in pure relief.<br />
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We left a welcome home sign and a bottle of champagne on the counter for the new owners, locked the doors, and took one last picture with our first home.<br />
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Having leveled up in the adult version of Tetris...<br />
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It was time to say goodbye, and start the journey, not just for our summer road trip, but our trip to our new home.<br />
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The remainder of the day was spent driving through the softly rolling farmlands of Iowa, wondering when we might see them again, pointing out redwing black birds and the steady flicker of fireflies as dusk descended.<br />
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We made it clear to Nebraska before remembering we had left an entire box of popsicles in the freezer. Oh, well, just another welcome home gift, I suppose.<br />
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<br />Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-56702107247429670032015-07-27T12:42:00.000-07:002015-07-27T12:42:21.446-07:00TeenagerDear Bug,<br />
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I can absolutely not believe you are a teenager. A real, actual teenager.<br />
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I'm pretty sure I say that I can't believe you are whatever age you are each birthday, but this year I mean it more than ever.<br />
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I'll be honest. I've been dreading this age. 13 and all its accompaniments. Junior high, puberty, angst. It all just dredges up horrible memories of my own newly teenage self.<br />
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However, do I even dare say 'so far, so good'?<br />
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Because you are 13 are absolutely delightful. When I was 13, delightful was never a word used to describe me. Some of it may have to do from that Y chromosome you have, the one that gave me grief during your toddler age. I do think that most of it is just from you being you.<br />
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You are an amazing <strike>kid</strike>, <strike>boy</strike>, <strike>child</strike>, person.<br />
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You are funny, and thoughtful, and helpful. You are an amazing older brother, helping out with Duck all the time (in fact, you can get him down for his nap better than anyone.) You are incredibly driven. You made your own account for online summer math classes and have spent time each day studying algebra and independent and dependent variables.<br />
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You have yet to show any interest in girls, which is fine. Feel free to keep it that way for another 10 plus years.<br />
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You are really settling into yourself, your personality become more fully developed each day.<br />
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I also recognize that just as you were getting comfortable with yourself and your world, we uprooted you and moved you across the country, away from everything familiar. I know the timing couldn't have been worse. I apologize for that. I hope that you don't hold this against me forever. (So far, you don't seem to, but I can't help projecting my own feelings of guilt onto you. Sorry about that too.)<br />
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I often read of my friends struggling with their preteen and teenage boys, and I wonder how I got so lucky. I know that our struggles will not stay confined to me prodding you to make your bed and get your hair cut. But for now, I'll take what we have and enjoy it each day I can.<br />
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Love,<br />
Mom<br />
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Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-13037647586374445672015-07-20T11:37:00.000-07:002015-07-20T11:37:11.254-07:00A Large 4thOne of the things I was very excited about with our move to Utah was the chance to celebrate holidays with family. While we have had years of creating our own small family traditions, there were things that just aren't the same without a large extended family.<br />
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The 4th of July is one of those holidays. All our Independence Day celebrations in Iowa were small affairs. There is nothing wrong with small, simple holidays. I was just excited to do something more with the holiday.<br />
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Our holiday started very early in the morning, before sunrise, watching hot air balloons. <br />
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I've always associated hot air balloons with the 4th, and was very excited to share this with my children.<br />
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The weather didn't cooperate, so the balloons didn't actually take off. But we still had a great time watching them inflate, and fill the field with their bright, photogenic shapes and colors.<br />
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After the early morning balloons, we gathered to watch the parade.<br />
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This was another things that I had missed. The parades in our Iowa town were small, without fancy floats and large marching bands. Watching all the impressive town floats and loud high school bands was incredibly nostalgic. (Although no candy! Seriously, what's up with that? No one was throwing salt water taffy or Tootsie Rolls, which was a huge disappointment to my children.)<br />
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The other part of the morning that was very exciting was my entire family was at the parade. All my siblings, my married siblings' spouses, and their children. I don't think this has ever happened before. As you can see, we are quite the crowd.<br />
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After the parade, we made our way from the large city, to my parents' home in small town, Central Utah.<br />
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There, my children gathered eggs, ran wild with cousins, which we grilled and cooked and ate and laughed.<br />
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We decided to attempt something new this year, which will hopefully continue on as a 4th of July tradition: Homemade root beer. We mixed a syrup from a variety of spices, added plenty of sugar, and then, the most exciting part - dry ice!<br />
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We topped the homemade root beer off with homemade vanilla ice cream before making our way to fireworks.<br />
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For a small town, the firework display was very impressive.<br />
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Watching my children dance around the baseball field, twirling glow sticks, then huddle together with friends and family as huge fireworks exploded almost directly overhead, I could not think of a better way to celebrate our country's birthday.<br />
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The holiday was large, loud, and absolutely perfect.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-47158223213165121892015-07-13T12:24:00.001-07:002015-07-13T12:24:21.463-07:00Playing Catch Up, Yet AgainBlogging is so much like exercise. It's so easy to find excuses to not do it. I'm too tired, my to-do list is too long, I'm too stressed, I just don't feel like it, I'll do it tomorrow. What I have to do is just actually do it. And just like exercising, it feels so great once I make the time and get it done.<br />
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I'm now writing from Utah.<br />
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For the time being, I'm just going to provide a brief overview of the last month or so, mostly to let myself process how much has actually happened.<br />
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The first week of June, Hubster graduated from dental school. Then, all our belongings were packed up, and we made the trek across half the country from Iowa to Utah, leaving behind our first home.<br />
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The getting to Utah will be a series of posts (to hopefully follow very very soon), as we decided to combine moving and summer vacation. We turned our move into a 10 day road trip, which (just like last year's road trip) was awesome.<br />
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Getting into our new home was it's own adventure, full of difficult negotiations and nail biting and more paperwork than I ever thought possible. But after several bottles of Tums, just a handful of meltdowns, and several hundred phone calls, we are settling into what we hope will be our forever home.<br />
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We still have quite a few boxes to empty (some that I'm tempted to just toss without even opening, because there is just so much stuff and I'm so tired of opening boxes and finding places for things.) We haven't done any decorating or styling, as we are still trying to figure out where everything should go in the kitchen.<br />
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Hubster and I have both started our new jobs. It's been an adjustment, since I was so settled in my last job. Learning new things and new schedules and new people is challenging. But at the same time, it feels great to be learning and pushing myself again, as I realized how mentally complacent I was becoming.<br />
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We are starting the search for child care for our boys. After throwing around ideas of au pairs, and summer camps, and everything in between, we are searching for a nanny (even though Bug insists that he does not need a nanny - apparently forgetting that he has younger siblings who do.)<br />
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We are exploring our new neighborhood and slowly adjusting back to the Utah culture. Even though we lived here in the past, after being gone for so many years, there was still a little culture shock on moving back. We apparently had become quite the country bumpkins in our small Iowa town, because the traffic, people, air quality, amount of stores, and time spent commuting have been difficult to adjust to.<br />
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But thankfully, there are the mountains right in our back yard, and those are just as amazing as they have ever been.<br />
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It's been a crazy month, full of stress and change and newness. I'm ready to settle back into a schedule, do some more hikes, make some new friends, and share a few more stories right here.<br />
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Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-67262053946199549332015-05-27T07:38:00.001-07:002015-05-27T07:38:42.072-07:0014 YearsHubster and I celebrated 14 years of marriage yesterday, sitting on our family room couch, wearing sweat pants, watching Redbox rentals and eating take out that we hid from the kids until after their bedtime.<br />
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After 14 years, our idea of romance has changed a little. <br />
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We actually celebrated over the weekend, several days earlier, because it was easier with our work and school schedules. We had a fancy dinner downtown. I wore a little black dress. Hubster bought me roses. <br />
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We had reservations at 6:30 and were home by 8 pm.<br />
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After 14 years, our idea of a night out has also changed a little. <br />
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I'm completely happy with the changes. We've changed as a couple and as individuals. We don't have the same needs and interests that we did early on in our relationship. <br />
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At the beginning, I wanted a huge fancy wedding and for him to bring me flowers all the time. I didn't get that, but I'm much happier with great marriage and him watching the kids so I can go for a run.<br />
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I feel more loved when he does dishes and puts away laundry that any fancy gift could ever make me feel. Watching him play with our children makes my heart happier than night out could.<br />
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We've gotten so used to each other and the way things are, there are times it's easy to feel complacent about things. I've grown so accustomed to my marriage that I catch myself taking it for granted, forgetting how good it really it. <br />
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I hear and read stories about other people's relationships and I thank my lucky stars that I have Hubster by my side. <br />
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After 14 years, there are still big changes on the horizon. And with Hubster next to me, I welcome them all.<br />
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Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-34107135385479341172015-05-26T07:57:00.002-07:002015-05-26T09:28:51.423-07:00Iconic ChicagoAs we approach the end of our time in the Midwest, we are doing our best to enjoy all our favorite things about living here.<br>
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One of those things is occasional weekends in Chicago. Until we took our children to Florida last summer, Chicago was their favorite place in the world. Even after experiencing Disney World, the Windy City still ranks quite high on their list.<br>
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There were still things we had not done during all our previous trips, things that felt so iconically Chicago that we could not forgive ourselves if we didn't experience them while we lived just hours away.<br>
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So last weekend, we loaded the boys up and made the drive one last time.<br>
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First stop was Giordano's for some deep-dish Chicago style pizza. We were so hungry by the time we got there, we devoured the entire thing before it even occurred to me to get a picture of the amazing, cheesy, 10,000 calorie goodness.<br>
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Early the next morning, breakfast consisted of doughnuts. Not just any doughnuts, but the amazing doughnuts at Firecakes. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHPfvH2R5Wo1Yksa2D0QdEPNUlgy48N6GFhKgdtV_PQ7gdck0D8haO8lW1UdoxA_2iVYYaBbksd31aYU09maBhkdyuUyL-VuaU5z3VKB7_gk4AXrImdvaT2pd-cCgxVUgFzY5fKIQXLiU/s640/blogger-image-929910291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHPfvH2R5Wo1Yksa2D0QdEPNUlgy48N6GFhKgdtV_PQ7gdck0D8haO8lW1UdoxA_2iVYYaBbksd31aYU09maBhkdyuUyL-VuaU5z3VKB7_gk4AXrImdvaT2pd-cCgxVUgFzY5fKIQXLiU/s640/blogger-image-929910291.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>While the boys ate giant vanilla glazed doughnuts (Duck happily eating his cinnamon gluten free doughnut from Do-Rite Bakery), Hubster and I enjoyed more gourmet flavors. Pineapple-bacon-maple, Meyer lemon, peanut butter mousse. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQM89-Rf-xA9ZFba9N1kRgLrRUCB3qSCfEayZcbcf8dY2MlSHku_91IxDVoCYLuUGpnOSgxKoxis7nyM2UEJKBdSoimRUHjXtuaLgOo-qAp5q7hjXbRb47w-CtiChCMPUz_Xa48EUT371/s640/blogger-image-1750687356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQM89-Rf-xA9ZFba9N1kRgLrRUCB3qSCfEayZcbcf8dY2MlSHku_91IxDVoCYLuUGpnOSgxKoxis7nyM2UEJKBdSoimRUHjXtuaLgOo-qAp5q7hjXbRb47w-CtiChCMPUz_Xa48EUT371/s640/blogger-image-1750687356.jpg"></a></div><br>
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We munched happily on fluffy sugary deliciousness, enjoying early morning next to the Bean in Millennium Park.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYsTm-UxBa96AfUAieiffjsp2GXEQTIZ4ZlyR1LD2ykaMFQ4P3wFCwlbCPC3wpEymAsYp2MKWncl3_UrzOLevJwp59OOB5qNIZ0pfveHUEy-Ft7ZurGLuEvf4FedeZlRBMeiLrpdLrPZx/s640/blogger-image-711863812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYsTm-UxBa96AfUAieiffjsp2GXEQTIZ4ZlyR1LD2ykaMFQ4P3wFCwlbCPC3wpEymAsYp2MKWncl3_UrzOLevJwp59OOB5qNIZ0pfveHUEy-Ft7ZurGLuEvf4FedeZlRBMeiLrpdLrPZx/s640/blogger-image-711863812.jpg"></a></div><br>
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After two meals of that proportion, it was time to walk all those carbs off.<br>
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So we headed over to The Art Institute of Chicago. <br>
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We had been debating about spending the morning here versus Navy Pier. However, our children may be the exception to most children and they are not huge fans of most rides and both Monkey and Bug were feeling a little too old for a children's museum. So when all the votes were in, the decision was made to spend the morning among Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiQapHYOO7QZxXMeK1pxz0jfIlzhvKXZbwi92kox6L0FmtewtJfLPU0PGYH2bBoxmy-p3EP67xrZkydirVjP5_xQwpDdFKyNlkOmwAS3b5_GWKPKD7iRKD3-tg2bVwwfutdjkLDa3Te5A/s640/blogger-image--289942829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiQapHYOO7QZxXMeK1pxz0jfIlzhvKXZbwi92kox6L0FmtewtJfLPU0PGYH2bBoxmy-p3EP67xrZkydirVjP5_xQwpDdFKyNlkOmwAS3b5_GWKPKD7iRKD3-tg2bVwwfutdjkLDa3Te5A/s640/blogger-image--289942829.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Watching Bug in an art museum reminds me of what an old soul he is. He carefully examined the art, often wandering off by himself to look at paintings. He became excited when he found ones he recognized.<br>
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Monkey, on the other hand, was difficult to impress. He claimed to have already seen the art and could not be convinced that there was any real difference between seeing it during class at school and now standing in front of the original. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioluB1qRu5UcjImSfJt4FNynt8DkPN6ViwcO1QBuvFItoTiLXdMR8o4oqrI1_8zudQJ7RXsIroeYploDsNn8XKFEcAruw6rJL44u9jV61y1n7rNMAnoLWL9_OEo1j9NhkZLCm1VY0NOXo_/s640/blogger-image--608184429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioluB1qRu5UcjImSfJt4FNynt8DkPN6ViwcO1QBuvFItoTiLXdMR8o4oqrI1_8zudQJ7RXsIroeYploDsNn8XKFEcAruw6rJL44u9jV61y1n7rNMAnoLWL9_OEo1j9NhkZLCm1VY0NOXo_/s640/blogger-image--608184429.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Both boys, however, were eager to stand in front of American Gothic and do their best re-enactment.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo_Jw5c5Lcu3ZMZ6tG-1xcIbLljTz_XKzTxa4ZecixAP0nmnGVD3vNwDmHS2UD6wZPwnuQrgB2YrtTgY-jB5ifOPqQbbcJZp-8hXh5HPBOscG_1bX5EJlRQMaSQ2zPnVbCx-CqiYz7YGc/s640/blogger-image-507494575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo_Jw5c5Lcu3ZMZ6tG-1xcIbLljTz_XKzTxa4ZecixAP0nmnGVD3vNwDmHS2UD6wZPwnuQrgB2YrtTgY-jB5ifOPqQbbcJZp-8hXh5HPBOscG_1bX5EJlRQMaSQ2zPnVbCx-CqiYz7YGc/s640/blogger-image-507494575.jpg"></a></div><br>
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After wandering the expansive Art Institute, lunch consisted of Chicago dogs with all the fixings.<br>
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After that, it was time to catch the "L" up to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game.<br>
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The boys were very impressed by the train system. We road the Red Line, which has an underground portion and an elevated portion. They enjoyed their first subway experience (even with me anxiously hovering behind them to make sure they were well away from the tracks.)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNZ0HwNQiDWw-LHNVherOxt28PLxquq4kMNmssJmU7TXyRQjgLthfVf_OESLBBo4Xc_11Sz2cXzxoyKEOp0NdqXz-Dbeae0m_cPJmnqVIqwcbVPuUcv0v8VgORn-LjujbLa7XYjGJ8lo8/s640/blogger-image--1630489849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNZ0HwNQiDWw-LHNVherOxt28PLxquq4kMNmssJmU7TXyRQjgLthfVf_OESLBBo4Xc_11Sz2cXzxoyKEOp0NdqXz-Dbeae0m_cPJmnqVIqwcbVPuUcv0v8VgORn-LjujbLa7XYjGJ8lo8/s640/blogger-image--1630489849.jpg"></a></div><br></div>After 6 years of living in the Midwest, we finally made it to Wrigley Field. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnL1xWHOxf1R9mJ1VZrwIoSZB-Z5NJQdIXqesy-p9hBRAkZDwYMJv9_BJdMI_vYxfOElNc277hO-6LaUWlqBkliRiIfFB_rXS5uwbMv4EigrQZIGCXzGqNcd61BLMfnAUZeI4Dmq-05Wb/s640/blogger-image--695488603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnL1xWHOxf1R9mJ1VZrwIoSZB-Z5NJQdIXqesy-p9hBRAkZDwYMJv9_BJdMI_vYxfOElNc277hO-6LaUWlqBkliRiIfFB_rXS5uwbMv4EigrQZIGCXzGqNcd61BLMfnAUZeI4Dmq-05Wb/s640/blogger-image--695488603.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The ball park was beautiful! The ivy covered walls and red sign were just as wonderful as I expected them to be. Even though our seats were near the top, we still had a beautiful view. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJfKLO1ISO8yLrD_ZOv5KdFkxl8-BvnkbPMEgouFaDAsHUr6QTtv1A1JLF1ptTT6f-OCVBh6uIZz9bsQ_OUp0gTGmi5mOTCzPq5yq8r80Nr0ChWv9ZZOM_Np08tpxfR1fsHg79C9_fnte/s640/blogger-image--669650537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJfKLO1ISO8yLrD_ZOv5KdFkxl8-BvnkbPMEgouFaDAsHUr6QTtv1A1JLF1ptTT6f-OCVBh6uIZz9bsQ_OUp0gTGmi5mOTCzPq5yq8r80Nr0ChWv9ZZOM_Np08tpxfR1fsHg79C9_fnte/s640/blogger-image--669650537.jpg"></a></div><br>Most of my experiences with pro sports events have not been positive, due to crowd behavior and such. Our afternoon at Wrigley Field was wonderful. All the fans were great, the stadium was beautiful, and the game was great. (Cubs won!)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSmFGMxF7KW2JeZjEdxOy7bxWMu7DGZRVMfwmPSYpURBTZsQ_fLs_SRpIBZ1Og914GOkOtF_mmqbOr_Qa6_5_Q_MumfkK0Vmq-iT9dcDrAXzjrHHnUcisRabTj2HTebTbdaBgNZAmRiow/s640/blogger-image-1437866790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSmFGMxF7KW2JeZjEdxOy7bxWMu7DGZRVMfwmPSYpURBTZsQ_fLs_SRpIBZ1Og914GOkOtF_mmqbOr_Qa6_5_Q_MumfkK0Vmq-iT9dcDrAXzjrHHnUcisRabTj2HTebTbdaBgNZAmRiow/s640/blogger-image-1437866790.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After riding the L back downtown, we let the boys play in Crown Fountain in Millennium Park while we snacked on popcorn. Every time we go to Chicago, we never come prepared to play in the fountain, but every time we end up doing it anyways. And it starts the same way, with me telling them to not get their clothes wet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5Islijsf3rnSOfdDplhd-G2Fw7I-ano7xIDeI28jE-1ML1P48cHWftvvWckKoYw-RrGnMU8jLbh_u27HVFo3pwiGF4uCbhrMrRLTyD2-JemKZcwFUw0oVqzIecNxIszfQ0tq-epOagvp/s640/blogger-image-63467107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5Islijsf3rnSOfdDplhd-G2Fw7I-ano7xIDeI28jE-1ML1P48cHWftvvWckKoYw-RrGnMU8jLbh_u27HVFo3pwiGF4uCbhrMrRLTyD2-JemKZcwFUw0oVqzIecNxIszfQ0tq-epOagvp/s640/blogger-image-63467107.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div>That always works out well.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsq7MdkwUWWd08dk8iO1eTJtRr0xfWV2vs0DdcZf94VubZMB6fXheFPCWPKVfYSVnQ70oOinNjbeo0jV-rKxW68ImiHskxtl-a71lIAQevxUfw0Y4NN4vwIysbZr0ccaIi8yCdxZ1eL8X/s640/blogger-image--1193832247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsq7MdkwUWWd08dk8iO1eTJtRr0xfWV2vs0DdcZf94VubZMB6fXheFPCWPKVfYSVnQ70oOinNjbeo0jV-rKxW68ImiHskxtl-a71lIAQevxUfw0Y4NN4vwIysbZr0ccaIi8yCdxZ1eL8X/s640/blogger-image--1193832247.jpg"></a></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After walking miles over Chicago, everyone slept great that night.</span></div><div><br></div><div>The next day, we met some friends at our children's favorite museum, the Museum of Science and Industry. We have been to this museum several times over the years, and it never gets old. Each time there is more to explore, things we haven't seen. As the boys get older, they also are able to get more out of the exhibits. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgo7x2s1ri1uAhDYEXin4E7Z-fy0g4lIV6zeM_z1pAMy1DpNfROgcbOQ-zaMtV-_7nxy8njHhGe4D6ueoL6duyZabqoTSm1mLy6xwPjeuvJP4C7F9QiI52JPTdwRU4-afn3JNB9V32Ovm/s640/blogger-image-1330784296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgo7x2s1ri1uAhDYEXin4E7Z-fy0g4lIV6zeM_z1pAMy1DpNfROgcbOQ-zaMtV-_7nxy8njHhGe4D6ueoL6duyZabqoTSm1mLy6xwPjeuvJP4C7F9QiI52JPTdwRU4-afn3JNB9V32Ovm/s640/blogger-image-1330784296.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JL9JaX2ZHK8IcWlTFFJ7Q5DE7Gj-gFTAjIhZOrW8NclXWP3MNRGik5joHBZxrgYsrd0Zdl-t9nBweCpsso3AGjSMEK0nQ8xPIhaeP-U9IlATSW3us_lkBGUxDj15_EtkzDovdk7sLN8H/s640/blogger-image-846750641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JL9JaX2ZHK8IcWlTFFJ7Q5DE7Gj-gFTAjIhZOrW8NclXWP3MNRGik5joHBZxrgYsrd0Zdl-t9nBweCpsso3AGjSMEK0nQ8xPIhaeP-U9IlATSW3us_lkBGUxDj15_EtkzDovdk7sLN8H/s640/blogger-image-846750641.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZwxPIKwt-whCpZCZ8tkf2653RlRHsu2ME2pEgL0Rpc9nj47RUVIqX25l8PgGrcl0JMdoHrPt5bvu8RrFKkkJ7Sdi9RdJSkScQRLf0xKcUF8vQ95CcpVzMvvfuCvccOplM-4HU0D-bNZ/s640/blogger-image-958369515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZwxPIKwt-whCpZCZ8tkf2653RlRHsu2ME2pEgL0Rpc9nj47RUVIqX25l8PgGrcl0JMdoHrPt5bvu8RrFKkkJ7Sdi9RdJSkScQRLf0xKcUF8vQ95CcpVzMvvfuCvccOplM-4HU0D-bNZ/s640/blogger-image-958369515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7L2QPfRoNr-sANm9FC8QjTFTx7pZCFd0lBECsT30T2wzveJfHNdLCbtWtGE-AtSlp8gl-bU_0D_j9HRZbopvydWrLdsvBUheXAdMrtL9pmcQ8aih_OG-bdE2Ol0v7IH9X93TUHf693G-/s640/blogger-image--110424788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7L2QPfRoNr-sANm9FC8QjTFTx7pZCFd0lBECsT30T2wzveJfHNdLCbtWtGE-AtSlp8gl-bU_0D_j9HRZbopvydWrLdsvBUheXAdMrtL9pmcQ8aih_OG-bdE2Ol0v7IH9X93TUHf693G-/s640/blogger-image--110424788.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Although the Tesla coil scares them all, every single time.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutUvDpbumQE4fX0y_c9lD1OUA_IKGfGN9Ibh7yPwDtV7gYdaBY6YXIdk8AnxQTsilp6VhdQ8nfwUxOrfMcRI6k7cXuVCV86VN2Bx1TGHjKFn1SoKpDixaHX-s6K4NTe-Vs3-btAasMldK/s640/blogger-image-942247555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutUvDpbumQE4fX0y_c9lD1OUA_IKGfGN9Ibh7yPwDtV7gYdaBY6YXIdk8AnxQTsilp6VhdQ8nfwUxOrfMcRI6k7cXuVCV86VN2Bx1TGHjKFn1SoKpDixaHX-s6K4NTe-Vs3-btAasMldK/s640/blogger-image-942247555.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was a short trip, but we did so many things, things we had been meaning to do for years. I'm not sure when we will make it back to Chicago, but we will have enough good memories of the<br>
<br></div></div></div></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-82763217560553940162015-05-12T06:25:00.000-07:002015-05-12T06:25:19.749-07:00I Might Be a HoarderI blame it on my mother. <br />
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(Sorry, Mom!)<br />
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My mother almost never threw anything away. Socks with holes were mended. Broken dishes were glued. Ripped books were taped. Bits of wire, ribbon ends, random buttons, wood scraps, and countless other things were all saved. <br />
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Waste not, want not. <br />
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My mother was raised to be extremely frugal, to save, reuse, and repurpose as much as possible. This is wonderful in so many ways. But it also made it so that growing up, we had a ridiculous amount of stuff, because nothing was disposed of.<br />
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In preparing for our move, I may have not had to confront these same tendencies in myself.<br />
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Hubster and I spent the weekend packing up things in our basement. We sorted things into three categories. <br />
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There was the "definitely keeping" category, containing items that we know we will use again and are willing to pay to have moved across the country.<br />
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There was the "yard sale/donate" category, full of items that were perfectly good, but we didn't need anymore.<br />
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Last, there was the "trash" category, which should have been obvious.<br />
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Putting things in the keep pile was easy for me. Yes, I need my full frame back packing gear! Yes, I need to keep these winter boots! Yes, I need to keep all these books!<br />
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When it came time to put things in the other piles, it was a little bit harder...Fine! It was really hard. And also embarrassing.<br />
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I realized that I hoard boxes. Piles and piles of boxes. Old shoe boxes, empty Amazon boxes, small little gift boxes. You never know when you'll need a box to ship something cross country or to wrap a Christmas present in. <br />
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All the boxes that couldn't be used to pack things into for the move went in the trash pile (actually, the recycle pile, because that's the right thing to do.)<br />
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I realize that I hoard glass bottles. Several boxes of empty glass bottles and jars. Old jam jars, sauce jars, pickle jars, all thoroughly washed and labels removed with their lids attached. I blame Pinterest for making me thing I was going to upcycle all these jars into darling storage solutions for Q-tips and and crayons. <br />
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All the jars also went to recycling.<br />
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Apparently, I also hoard bags. Several boxes of bags. The boys' old school back packs, work bags with hospital logos on them, diaper bags. I have no justification for this one. I can't think of a single reason I thought we might eventually need 30 plus old bags. <br />
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Most were still just fine and were cleaned in preparation for a yard sale. The others with broken zipper and ripped straps and shredded pockets were tossed. <br />
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Each time we found a box of more items that I had been hoarding away, I became more and more embarrassed. It was painful, sorting through all those things, trying to go back through the justifications I had to store them in the first place. <br />
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It was also very cathartic. Seeing our basement empty, letting go of so much stuff that we didn't need (or even want), was extremely rewarding. Almost freeing in a way.<br />
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My goal is that when we move into our next home, the only things we bring into the house are things we actually use. I don't need things sitting away in storage for the possibility of using them someday. <br />
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I might still be a hoarder, but I'm going to try to be a hoarder of good memories and clean rooms, instead of boxes and jars and bags.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-56272781249008025132015-05-11T08:39:00.000-07:002015-05-11T11:59:17.854-07:00Mother's Day GiftsEach year for Mother's Day, I ask for the exact same thing.<br>
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Extra sleep, to not do any cooking, to not do any dishes/laundry, and a walk in my favorite park.<br>
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Between our often hectic schedules, it hasn't always been possible to accommodate all those things. My family is getting pretty good at it, though. Most years, I sleep in, Hubster takes care of meals and dishes.<br>
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And we always get our walk in.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFypcIZG7V2eRZ5MxpWexSHBSmV-YZibuDzSVO0B5IrxLbMqKGql1Yepe8JJ1YfmCyKaxugx6ftE3N622Rveu9UY9cIF9rCa02RbLXtgx1DUAZmwvZsjYe2XFwfrMWIR4UjypiBPrEAIE4/s640/blogger-image--571053575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFypcIZG7V2eRZ5MxpWexSHBSmV-YZibuDzSVO0B5IrxLbMqKGql1Yepe8JJ1YfmCyKaxugx6ftE3N622Rveu9UY9cIF9rCa02RbLXtgx1DUAZmwvZsjYe2XFwfrMWIR4UjypiBPrEAIE4/s640/blogger-image--571053575.jpg"></a></div><br>
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While we wandered through the woods under gray skies, the air heavy with the promise of rain, I thought more about what I hoped I gave to my children, more than any gift I would get that day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9UUnH6LP051ILSvNdvAJqpVoHe8I0koe72XYbvhokhU8BDpe6zqdK9OW34NVLj9Hq_0_NnMsEkI_Ps4oNlCB7fkZxqu25LHA5ItSc0XkZT3eJgnuvAgysVHWuIz4VywedNoVkb4NUogK/s640/blogger-image-876165744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9UUnH6LP051ILSvNdvAJqpVoHe8I0koe72XYbvhokhU8BDpe6zqdK9OW34NVLj9Hq_0_NnMsEkI_Ps4oNlCB7fkZxqu25LHA5ItSc0XkZT3eJgnuvAgysVHWuIz4VywedNoVkb4NUogK/s640/blogger-image-876165744.jpg"></a></div><br>
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We hunted Jack-in-the-pulpits and named off different wild flowers, while I thought about what I hoped I would pass on to them. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm06KOx_vFzHNoobQsTgbzxtR7JIBOITW1IfZWuPgMrh0V-z1RRUIW2nW_JT59XMiU3TXBeX9_4VrtHEe97J2OR-Iw1IYdfdWHnNs4Lu0OyzuwERUsGgdkEInk_Ucckj7uGa7CrvOZHCh/s640/blogger-image-16585763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm06KOx_vFzHNoobQsTgbzxtR7JIBOITW1IfZWuPgMrh0V-z1RRUIW2nW_JT59XMiU3TXBeX9_4VrtHEe97J2OR-Iw1IYdfdWHnNs4Lu0OyzuwERUsGgdkEInk_Ucckj7uGa7CrvOZHCh/s640/blogger-image-16585763.jpg"></a></div><br>
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We ran thunderously across bridges and dropped sticks and rocks in the small creeks, and I thought about what they might remember me by.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHx9UsqvCGw8q1Gh4JLMGLYlyYRzlIp845pxhcyO-GCFbgrZkwK3Mx7c8yjJeQrWB-fM_wCB2-2XS2XVy1rN_SVh_9TpZgNHNgKzBpF6Lvyp06_wjaeQJBAuIqVeV7UHodhGWnpSxucWJ/s640/blogger-image-1888331912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHx9UsqvCGw8q1Gh4JLMGLYlyYRzlIp845pxhcyO-GCFbgrZkwK3Mx7c8yjJeQrWB-fM_wCB2-2XS2XVy1rN_SVh_9TpZgNHNgKzBpF6Lvyp06_wjaeQJBAuIqVeV7UHodhGWnpSxucWJ/s640/blogger-image-1888331912.jpg"></a></div><br>
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I hope that I give my children a love of nature. I want them to enjoy wide open, empty spaces, the feel of wind and sun on their skins, and the sound of bird song, insect harmonies, and even silence. I want them to admire fragile, green growing things. I want them to feel awe under canopies of trees and breathlessness at views from mountain tops. I want them to feel protective of nature and what it has to offer.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5_RlKuK45eJnSikcMC2AHfEz5OMHeW25hc5ppdKCvRb_zwTwpdhBpwHKiD2FXFpLfRT8s4m1Q2tu-Q6ImvlmzmVipcira9oO-7Q2L3PqOStBxc1u1_mBx_52vDO-rGMsXWNFA3Tdvqjc/s640/blogger-image--1740204104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5_RlKuK45eJnSikcMC2AHfEz5OMHeW25hc5ppdKCvRb_zwTwpdhBpwHKiD2FXFpLfRT8s4m1Q2tu-Q6ImvlmzmVipcira9oO-7Q2L3PqOStBxc1u1_mBx_52vDO-rGMsXWNFA3Tdvqjc/s640/blogger-image--1740204104.jpg"></a></div><br>
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I hope I give my children kindness. I want them to cheer for the underdog, advocate for the downtrodden, empathize with the battles others are fighting. I want them to hold doors and speak kindly.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRtelXylWGYMhPL6zOw_MayPB4u9sN6L69LTgR1_KLUp_J_tU1LV_1hwDAtqsL1sqbi8bOGQEJrq4b-PRLwQAWC9fvyrwyapGEoXS0AKWeAmgs8o8WVbvTuS2V6TS_QVTfqjTNB7SSsW/s640/blogger-image-1341653912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRtelXylWGYMhPL6zOw_MayPB4u9sN6L69LTgR1_KLUp_J_tU1LV_1hwDAtqsL1sqbi8bOGQEJrq4b-PRLwQAWC9fvyrwyapGEoXS0AKWeAmgs8o8WVbvTuS2V6TS_QVTfqjTNB7SSsW/s640/blogger-image-1341653912.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br>
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I hope I give my children knowledge and the desire for education. I want them to lose themselves in books. I want them to realize that learning is life long, from our family's bird and plant identification books to our random Internet searches (that range from how tall was Napoleon and the origins of Mother's Day), there is always so much to learn. I want them to know that education can open nearly any door and pave nearly any path.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREQZFP_PeUXFCKtIlv9nGRzTzt6t0vuE1mgOJFCZzcTGgzG9U5E1-XQ9HM3T-bSHMN4nY0p1Nv-f4wxLWIbVYoVH8mQ5EOe8ERBg2ebA5esjBCJkokNHPOuW-f0l5BPPYgRpqW7Kl48Fh/s640/blogger-image-1902732126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREQZFP_PeUXFCKtIlv9nGRzTzt6t0vuE1mgOJFCZzcTGgzG9U5E1-XQ9HM3T-bSHMN4nY0p1Nv-f4wxLWIbVYoVH8mQ5EOe8ERBg2ebA5esjBCJkokNHPOuW-f0l5BPPYgRpqW7Kl48Fh/s640/blogger-image-1902732126.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br>
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I hope I give my children a strong sense of family. I want them to know to much I love them, that I'm always in their corner. I want them to know how hard we've worked to make this family what it is. I want them to remember our little traditions and our big traditions. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUri8D74QwSzeNKa78sSykyl0hbKEjQY_aYB7PlbZyT9T76lIUGCw-_0AzZ8tOPYYXNF8yskcc97I_KXu6U3-qOgic89QU4s7PLUeoHOuQdi3IsE5nwHS7G0UDvKbvwby4ulROs3Whegl/s640/blogger-image-113684990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUri8D74QwSzeNKa78sSykyl0hbKEjQY_aYB7PlbZyT9T76lIUGCw-_0AzZ8tOPYYXNF8yskcc97I_KXu6U3-qOgic89QU4s7PLUeoHOuQdi3IsE5nwHS7G0UDvKbvwby4ulROs3Whegl/s640/blogger-image-113684990.jpg"></a></div><br>
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I hope that my children will remember me for those things, for my love of just getting out there, of always wanted to learn more, of how much I really loved them.</div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-7351777448785538352015-05-07T06:33:00.000-07:002015-05-07T06:33:26.497-07:00A Random Act of KindnessLess than a mile from our home is a large nature preserve that is crisscrossed with walking trails that weave through old hardwood forests and restored patches of prairie and across arched bridges that span shallow creeks.<br />
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We walk through there frequently as a family, birdwatching or looking for (but never picking) wildflowers, or usually just disturbing other people with our wild children. <br />
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Several years ago, in early fall, I was walking through this park with my children, and we had done quite the walk. It started drizzling, with the threat of heavier rain to come. We were quite far from our car, so I hoisted then 5-year-old Monkey onto my shoulders, with 9-year-old Bug next to me, and we jogged back to the parking lot. After I buckled my boys into their car seats and hopped in the car myself, I noticed that the small backpack I had, containing snacks and water bottles, had unzipped a little during our hasty retreat from the weather. I quickly did inventory to realize that the one thing that had fallen out was my camera. <br />
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At this point, it was raining steadily. I became very upset, thinking of my camera sitting along a trail somewhere, getting drenched. The memory drive in that camera had photos of preschool graduation and Monkey's first day of kindergarten and our summer memories on it. Even if the camera was ruined, I had to find it and save that memory card. I called Hubster and he drove over to the park. We waited for the rain to subside a little and then started combing the trail system. <br />
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We retraced my steps. We asked anyone who passed us. No one had seen my camera. I shed tears, but as it became dark, we ultimately had to leave empty handed.<br />
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We didn't make it back to the park the rest of the fall. I bought a new camera. There was nothing else to do about it.<br />
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The following spring, as the days became longer, the warmer weather beckoned us outside and back to the trails of the nature preserve.<br />
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When we got to the parking lot, my boys slipped out of the car and ran all over the trail head, climbing up on the small walls of the information shelter at the park entrance, while I packed up water and fruit snacks in a small (more secure) backpack. As I was gathering things up, Monkey ran up to me.<br />
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"Mom! There's a picture of us on the bulletin board! Come look!"<br />
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I followed him over to the small shelter, and there, next to the trail maps and posters warning of invasive plant species, was hanging a picture of my children. <br />
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Seeing that picture gave me the strangest, almost out of body experience. Why was there a picture of my children, smiling out at me from the deck in my backyard? What was it doing here? Who had been able to get this picture? <br />
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I snatched the photo quickly off the bulletin board. <br />
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On the back of the photo, handwritten, was a small message.<br />
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"I found a camera along the trail. It was starting to rain, so I picked it up so it wouldn't get ruined. Pictures of these boys were on the memory card. If this is your camera, please call..."<br />
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I quickly called the number, knowing that it had been over 6 months since I had lost that camera, and who would keep a lost camera that long.<br />
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The person who answered told me that yes, they still had the camera! Also amazingly enough, they lived only one block away from me. They had hoped that the only person who would take down the photo would be the family of the children; who else would remove it and look at the back? <br />
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We did our walk, and then stopped by the kind stranger's house to pick up my camera, still fully functional and still containing the previous summer's memories.<br />
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I was blown away by that individual's kindness. They could have easily just left the camera there to become soaked in the rain. They could have picked it up and left it in the shelter, with the hope that it would be found. But they went above and beyond to make sure that camera, along with all the sentimental photographs, made it's way home to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/2015/05/may-12x30-challenge-random-acts-of.html" target="blank"><img alt="The Weekly Round-Up" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aL262BwVHJYV7sp-OO9E8PGBTrnFqpuqt7R2h1Da5YRaOqZ_YRE2a_7B2YC5R3h4GtmU8VRXtS8on-kKBklbhEmgK8vfipssKcnhl60tAh3aw4J7YNxgXDBbwuNMQYH9cZ25qRc3YqM/s1600/unnamed.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-15046982620343382002015-05-05T08:55:00.000-07:002015-05-05T08:55:27.707-07:00Currently: Spring Edition<strong>Current Book</strong><br />
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I'm trying to do a better job of actually reading. I completely book binged after I finished all of my board exams last year, but haven't read much for the last several months. <br />
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I've taken some friends' recommendations and am reading Liane Moriarty. Big Little Lies was the only one available at the Library, but I want to read them all. I'm only a quarter of the way through the book, but so intrigued.<br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81%2BiucjYd9L._SL1500_.jpg" height="400" width="263" /><br />
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<strong>Current Drink</strong><br />
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Water. I've started keeping track of how much water I'm drinking, and it is not nearly enough. So now, I'm pretty much exclusively a water drinker, with cucumber, lime, or lemon slices added. Except on weekend nights. Then I shake it up with a gin cocktail. I'm kind of obsessed with gin lately.<br />
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<strong>Current Song</strong><br />
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"Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon<br />
"Black Sun" by Death Cab for Cutie<br />
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Also, I'm counting "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift, because I sing this at my boys every time they get upset. Which may or may not help.<br />
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<strong>Current Wish List</strong><br />
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I want to be done with this move. I want our movers settled. I want our home financing to go through. I want the packing to be done. I want to just get settled and be done with this. <br />
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<strong>Current Needs</strong><br />
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Oh, a couple million dollars would be nice. <br />
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<strong>Current TV Shows</strong><br />
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I have completely caught up on Game of Thrones and love it. And by love it, I mean get so anxious during each episode, I have a hard time watching.<br />
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<a data-cthref="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgameofthrones.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FSeason_5&ei=1dhIVdHSKY7zggTs1IHABA&psig=AFQjCNHaQNcu1GyQ094lb7xlKIcGN4lMWg&ust=1430923829517793" data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgameofthrones.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FSeason_5&ei=1dhIVdHSKY7zggTs1IHABA&psig=AFQjCNHaQNcu1GyQ094lb7xlKIcGN4lMWg&ust=1430923829517793" id="irc_mil" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk;irc.il;" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img src="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150228004741/gameofthrones/images/0/0d/Gameofthrones-season5_poster.jpg" height="612" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="413" /></a><br />
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We are also watching Outlander, which I just can't help but love.<br />
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<img height="265" src="https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/outlander3.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Bug and I watch Doctor Who together. And we've started watching The Wonder Years as a family.<br />
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<strong>Current Movies</strong><br />
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I have watched several movies lately, and been so disappointed. I don't have enough time to watch bad movies! I usually use Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB to screen out really awful ones, and try to only watch highly rated and well reviewed movies. But Noah was terrible. John Wick was awful. Elysium was too uncomfortable and upsetting. I just haven't been able to pick anything good lately.<br />
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<strong>Current Outfit</strong><br />
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Hospital issued maroon scrubs. Compression stockings and New Balance shoes. I'm rocking fashion lately.<br />
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<strong>Current Indulgences</strong><br />
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Time on Facebook. I've joined a couple medical groups and I'm just obsessed with reading about people's interesting cases and practices. <br />
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<strong>Current Excitement</strong><br />
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I'm planning our summer road trip and am so excited to take my family to see brand new things. <br />
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<strong>Current Mood</strong><br />
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Tired, slightly stressed, with a touch of apathy.<br />
<br />Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-3996588662214857952015-04-29T07:19:00.002-07:002015-04-29T07:49:04.267-07:00Spring ArrivalDespite logic and science and everything else, each year I remained convinced that winter will never end. There is a part of me that remains sure that June and July will roll around and temperatures will still be below freezing, frost will still be forming on the windows, and I'll be walking into work swaddled in down coats and multiple scarves.<br>
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Even as spring progresses, each time there is a small dip in the temperatures back towards freezing or there is a random spring snow flurry, I want to shout out, "See, I knew winter would last forever."<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0R7WwpzgRmYKrjV6HJBHkbXwzonHbm5gDLv9Eth7CoCAk374FNNOaZfXnas_ZXMkHopcvwwLOZ43ZM-TCwvszi0dG81PLYiHIK9Bhskxu2tcLKro0fjKcRiErmRjprpNo64mvVb-EoWB/s640/blogger-image--1534560980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0R7WwpzgRmYKrjV6HJBHkbXwzonHbm5gDLv9Eth7CoCAk374FNNOaZfXnas_ZXMkHopcvwwLOZ43ZM-TCwvszi0dG81PLYiHIK9Bhskxu2tcLKro0fjKcRiErmRjprpNo64mvVb-EoWB/s640/blogger-image--1534560980.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Which is why, every year, when the season fully transitions to spring, I'm in amazement. I feel in awe of the warm weather that allows us to run around without jackets. Each blooming tree and sprouting bulb excites me. I'm ecstatic over the return of robins and butterflies and budding branches. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEt3paTpoDJXK95clfAPfzl3RvC1kcV9YATl2968D1ZK2jxStmp_BFPW48U04YLA_RSafqidahdRg22zFDV5uCDy5irIAYs8cNTKsl4m4SLJ1XdbUe23PxhM1kGiT8I9cugUR8mKpreLv/s640/blogger-image-1883012223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEt3paTpoDJXK95clfAPfzl3RvC1kcV9YATl2968D1ZK2jxStmp_BFPW48U04YLA_RSafqidahdRg22zFDV5uCDy5irIAYs8cNTKsl4m4SLJ1XdbUe23PxhM1kGiT8I9cugUR8mKpreLv/s640/blogger-image-1883012223.jpg"></a></div><br>
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I want to run around, photographing each and every single flower. I want to turn cartwheels in the new grass. I want to loudly proclaim that spring is here...<br>
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Wait, I actually do all those things.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUlLFHm3q5LiLOO4q4LE9DnqzPbXTCJp-c6ZVYTfSbBmxziCGJbfdI9NF3z5mfAlGUFdxsZ1R-gkUClfKHWZIRrfgfOfqnBb7vLJTAXXg8aL6oyxkrZYIEW2fJVeFVL9551K_Fu4Cnw0j/s640/blogger-image-270407504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUlLFHm3q5LiLOO4q4LE9DnqzPbXTCJp-c6ZVYTfSbBmxziCGJbfdI9NF3z5mfAlGUFdxsZ1R-gkUClfKHWZIRrfgfOfqnBb7vLJTAXXg8aL6oyxkrZYIEW2fJVeFVL9551K_Fu4Cnw0j/s640/blogger-image-270407504.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Most places I've lived before, spring is a transient period, a gradual warming from the coldness of winter to the sweltering of summer. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9D5FHhio5W8x081uJCxHAEHszL-Y301bWeWQRAd_A1YJqHbYOxP5C4ZRsZxvptMsGsEBBaEF3UQS7ucidXm6yq7v8cuJP_MZOliS430qrGaWpIJ5G-0oiyQyN6ohUtk_pMnCEjZiwUn5/s640/blogger-image-607421257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9D5FHhio5W8x081uJCxHAEHszL-Y301bWeWQRAd_A1YJqHbYOxP5C4ZRsZxvptMsGsEBBaEF3UQS7ucidXm6yq7v8cuJP_MZOliS430qrGaWpIJ5G-0oiyQyN6ohUtk_pMnCEjZiwUn5/s640/blogger-image-607421257.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Spring in the Midwest is prolonged and substantial, an almost cleanly delineated event. It's negative twenty degrees outside and then suddenly, it's not. The world is full of flowers and sunshine and balmy breezy days. Then, just as suddenly, the days are hot and humid and full of cicadas and fireflies and it's summer. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6ryMTMIZTEooqReF1M9zGOplwNb44_u5rX9U8Me9SkwBXac8eiIIvm2p-GpImYII1SkxyuNZKgRdopgxn4tGHCY807-Rkl3PCzuqDLVKAhD3SFac4c-MmdOkh82OIcUqMJtBS1J-DJ_g/s640/blogger-image--1186743849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6ryMTMIZTEooqReF1M9zGOplwNb44_u5rX9U8Me9SkwBXac8eiIIvm2p-GpImYII1SkxyuNZKgRdopgxn4tGHCY807-Rkl3PCzuqDLVKAhD3SFac4c-MmdOkh82OIcUqMJtBS1J-DJ_g/s640/blogger-image--1186743849.jpg"></a></div><br>
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But between the frigid gray of winter and the lazy heat of summer, there is spring, bright and full and beautiful. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkuvnHm1awAikkT9cxPUkW96VC1fFjnowNh_HpUCF8n5ov0nxAlYxNS0GYsnFq_6Z7DONheO4DZabvBRTF4K-lTB1IYd6KGQNjtJth05Sb2tvDRfnWEraK33Yw3-ysVK7chctU6ydZKbL/s640/blogger-image--1522025986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkuvnHm1awAikkT9cxPUkW96VC1fFjnowNh_HpUCF8n5ov0nxAlYxNS0GYsnFq_6Z7DONheO4DZabvBRTF4K-lTB1IYd6KGQNjtJth05Sb2tvDRfnWEraK33Yw3-ysVK7chctU6ydZKbL/s640/blogger-image--1522025986.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Each year I doubt and each year I'm wrong.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8KdXd71CxlNexoNnauNACZvjblPBRZnqqmdllpQeZTK58R4P4eKpo-RdB8zK1-CMl0YcKVmJk9D63Kz-Gn5K3LZE9nW1aRDLQaq6ieMGK_iVHGkttETxLxJcdA0DMxwC798qPSCckiuA/s640/blogger-image-1158728130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8KdXd71CxlNexoNnauNACZvjblPBRZnqqmdllpQeZTK58R4P4eKpo-RdB8zK1-CMl0YcKVmJk9D63Kz-Gn5K3LZE9nW1aRDLQaq6ieMGK_iVHGkttETxLxJcdA0DMxwC798qPSCckiuA/s640/blogger-image-1158728130.jpg"></a></div><br>
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I'm so happy to be wrong. Spring is here.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0IvHVdTgtzzmDXNrFJyFxQeS-4X9tmMDnn3dxL9ZdUgCijuj6BHGwcyitnoIb8FC0e7QFF0NSWBIL2nWfjlUkBMeyjKUGRbTqebVfQqDAjqcdroIHmVgU2fpy7YgQ4ceiR3ExzbA8C_e/s640/blogger-image-1421640630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0IvHVdTgtzzmDXNrFJyFxQeS-4X9tmMDnn3dxL9ZdUgCijuj6BHGwcyitnoIb8FC0e7QFF0NSWBIL2nWfjlUkBMeyjKUGRbTqebVfQqDAjqcdroIHmVgU2fpy7YgQ4ceiR3ExzbA8C_e/s640/blogger-image-1421640630.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-62421434928341528412015-04-27T12:05:00.000-07:002015-04-27T12:13:36.385-07:00OverheardWhen it comes to baby books, I'm the stereotypical parent. My oldest had a beautiful baby book, all the pictures and page layouts carefully done, all the details meticulously documented. That went clear until he was two. <br>
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Then I started medical school, a few years later, had another baby, then residency, then another baby. That was pretty much the end of that. Not a single picture has been put in a photo album for 10 years.<br>
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I don't really regret it, because there are tons of pictures. Those pictures play as a slide show as our computer's screen saver, and we look at them all the time. And I keep telling myself I'll get around to those baby books...eventually...when no one is a baby anymore.<br>
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The one thing I do regret is that I don't write down all their little conversations and silly quotes. I love those so much and no matter how I try to remember, I end up forgetting.<br>
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...........<br>
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Overheard in the back seat of the minivan:<br>
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Monkey: I hate this song.<br>
Bug: You hate most songs. You only like maybe 5 songs. If it isn't one of those 5 songs, you hate it.<br>
Monkey: Well...I'm thinking of adding a sixth.<br>
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.........<br>
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Overheard in the backyard, while boys were setting up croquet set:<br>
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Duck (swinging the croquet mallet down on the the wicket): Hi, ho, hi, ho...(in his best Dumbo impression of the workers setting up the tent.)<br>
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.........<br>
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After calling him multiple times to come up to the table for dinner:<br>
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Monkey: Mom, do you know what would better? If you said, 'Get up to the table, Buster!'<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7V8s-T9HPp5f2ubkib7YW_g9IWh5MHYK4d3jH8Z-NFmZEfGf29TAI8JDiYhb5Xy8SAS7uVyN2OX85Zoi3fxfL3HbmhophNAb-WMDYYIdkfMxRzm_RaffQvQHfJku7H3IWZQ-FwtZfgQtG/s640/blogger-image-1236462862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7V8s-T9HPp5f2ubkib7YW_g9IWh5MHYK4d3jH8Z-NFmZEfGf29TAI8JDiYhb5Xy8SAS7uVyN2OX85Zoi3fxfL3HbmhophNAb-WMDYYIdkfMxRzm_RaffQvQHfJku7H3IWZQ-FwtZfgQtG/s640/blogger-image-1236462862.jpg"></a></div><br>
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...........<br>
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Checking out books at the library, suggesting different books and genres he might like:<br>
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Bug: Yeah, Mom, I already know that graphic novels and dystopian literature is. I'm not in elementary school anymore.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QJBP_u6WdmfIMSXT5QSwZfkJoJO-fIZrFS8Nk1FkIJqfIqphgWQ6a2BJC0MFcfJNHyUH9hEfY2jkvmoZ1kQ9PO1iI3Fh-QbxTAor7Q01RMNoN7lCe_-THVp7IiGHXw1MoEJ9bvuoT4Tg/s640/blogger-image-572452600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QJBP_u6WdmfIMSXT5QSwZfkJoJO-fIZrFS8Nk1FkIJqfIqphgWQ6a2BJC0MFcfJNHyUH9hEfY2jkvmoZ1kQ9PO1iI3Fh-QbxTAor7Q01RMNoN7lCe_-THVp7IiGHXw1MoEJ9bvuoT4Tg/s640/blogger-image-572452600.jpg"></a></div><br>
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...........<br>
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After our house was staged to be put on the market:<br>
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Bug: I hope our house sells fast.<br>
Me: Why? I thought you didn't want to move.<br>
Bug: I hate keeping it this clean. And I hate all the art work.<br>
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.............<br>
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This morning, getting Duck out of his crib:<br>
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Duck (big, beaming smile): It's a beautiful day! I slept so good!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHjwAAkzGXTUBqPhbB4S0XMeNV3pVCbKaRdyK_93NeoMn9qGNflTpQEMTryHknuK7dqYl2K-1JYsu1G98nwsPW2C2Ur1vBazrXUAdK-aL50R-09ZFqHkca-h_o90nUAL3ei0fJAs-zH3H/s640/blogger-image--340827486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHjwAAkzGXTUBqPhbB4S0XMeNV3pVCbKaRdyK_93NeoMn9qGNflTpQEMTryHknuK7dqYl2K-1JYsu1G98nwsPW2C2Ur1vBazrXUAdK-aL50R-09ZFqHkca-h_o90nUAL3ei0fJAs-zH3H/s640/blogger-image--340827486.jpg"></a></div><br>
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.............<br>
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This was a little bit ago, but still too cute to not write down:<br>
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Monkey: Mom, why would anyone live in New Hampster?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ8i6dZhk0kM1LHhLxFn8_hozR7f-M-GxiwLJOYf6ZWA5V3_z1RJFVDeNPN2Z0KHDVq_RyZps-KqOWKHW5YTJpQ66Ut_26BDZM_KbUauEiVrt3n1v0Q6shIy1MYhauj6Y8GjQejmkrdqn/s640/blogger-image-1194836381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ8i6dZhk0kM1LHhLxFn8_hozR7f-M-GxiwLJOYf6ZWA5V3_z1RJFVDeNPN2Z0KHDVq_RyZps-KqOWKHW5YTJpQ66Ut_26BDZM_KbUauEiVrt3n1v0Q6shIy1MYhauj6Y8GjQejmkrdqn/s640/blogger-image-1194836381.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-21823754636890299842015-04-23T06:50:00.000-07:002015-04-23T06:50:31.385-07:00Getting Fit(Bit)I've mentioned in the past that I've struggled with my self image. Like so many other women, I've looked in the mirror and stood on the scale and been incredibly dissatisfied with what I saw.<br />
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I started running a couple years ago, and fell in love with it (which is something I definitely thought I would never say.) I started with Couch to 5K followed by Couch to 10K. Last fall, I ran my first 10K. Physically, it was one of the harder things I've ever done. Mentally, it was amazing! (Although based on how hard it was for me, it made me seriously rethink my life goals of running a half or full marathon.)<br />
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As much as I loved running, I always did feel a little discouraged that I didn't lose any weight. Not a single pound. I felt like I was putting in all those miles to just barely maintain where I was. I told myself that the number on the scale and the size of my jeans didn't matter (because it honestly doesn't). I told myself that I was in better shape than I had been in years. My resting heart rate was lower. My stamina and energy were better. I could keep up with my boys (and sometimes even out do them). Those were the things that really mattered.<br />
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But still, never seeing the number on the scale change was discouraging. Before having children, I was extremely thin, sometimes bordering on underweight. Pregnancy changed my body in ways I never anticipated. My metabolism ground to a screeching halt. I never regained my pre-pregnancy size, hanging on to 20 plus pounds with each pregnancy. My BMI went from normal to overweight. The last couple years, my BMI hovered just under obese. I was trying to eat healthy and exercise regularly, and just felt that I wasn't getting the results I had hoped.<br />
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My family has always been very supportive of my attempts to be healthy (and I always try to keep the conversations about being healthier, not about being skinnier and losing weight or feeling fat.) For my birthday this year, Hubster bought me a FitBit Charge HR. <br />
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I'm sure most of you know about FitBit. It's a super fancy pedometer. The Charge HR also counts stairs, calories, and continuously measures heart rate. It also keeps track of sleep. After a few days, I realized that in between my runs, I wasn't being nearly as active as I thought I was. So I started walking into work each day, instead of riding the shuttle from the parking lot. I started taking the stairs everywhere. I haven't been in an elevator since I started wearing the FitBit. It's motivated me to take more walks, run around the back yard with my boys, take extra laps around the operating rooms at work, and do whatever it takes to get my 10,000 steps and 10 flights of stairs each day. It also has really helped motivate me to not skip my runs. I love those days when I get my steps in by 10 am, and everything else is bonus! <br />
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Also, being able to connect with other FitBit wearers and add that competitive edge has helped as well.<br />
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My resting heart rate, which was already fairly good, has gotten better, going from 65-68 to 60-62. <br />
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After talking to some friends, I also decided to try the app MyFitnessPal, to do some calorie counting. It was enlightening. And by enlightening, I mean a shock, slap in the face type of enlightening. <br />
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I felt like I was eating pretty healthy. And I was. I was just eating about double what I should. I remember the first two days of counting calories, and I was shocked by how much I was eating. I never felt like I was over eating, I never felt stuffed after meals, and I was eating fewer servings than the rest of my family. But for me, it was still over eating. Once I realized that, it was very easy to cut back. I still have pizza and ice cream and candy and bacon. But I just eat one slice of pizza and just one actually serving size of ice cream. I reach towards healthy, more protein based snacks. I'm not eating a specialized diet, I'm eating what the rest of my family is. I'm just eating a more appropriate amount.<br />
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The calorie counting was hard at first, but it's gotten so easy now (especially since I've added our favorite recipes to MyFitnessPal.) There are days when I go over, but most days I have a good feel for how much I can eat. By deciding to not eat off the plate of cookies at work, it means I can have a cocktail with Hubster that evening while we watch Outlander.<br />
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Between these two things, I'm not just feeling great, I'm losing weight. For the first time in years, I'm actually seeing the number on the scale drop. There is no more jumping up and down to get my jeans on. <br />
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So far, I'm down 10 pounds. My BMI has dropped two points, headed back towards a normal, healthy BMI.<br />
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I know it's not just about the numbers. There are so many reasons to take care of ourselves, to eat healthy and exercise regularly. But it's so nice to get that reward for taking care of myself. <br />
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Now, I just have to figure out what to do about my sleep. I've always known that I haven't slept well, and now I have the FitBit to prove it.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-76594397775919567612015-04-21T12:07:00.001-07:002015-04-21T12:07:50.943-07:00Let Me Explain......No, there is too much. Let me sum up.<br />
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(To quote one of the best movies there is.)<br />
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Sometimes, I feel like my blog is a childhood friend. The kind that you used to talk to every day and share every little detail with. Then life happens, and you get busy, and suddenly, you realize it's been forever since you've talked. <br />
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Once I'm in that situation, I start feeling awkward.If I call, will I just bother them? Are they mad that it's been so long? Are we still even friends?<br />
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Each time, once I've finally made contact again, I realize it's not awkward, it's not terrible. So, despite becoming that flaky and undependable person, I'm reestablishing contact.<br />
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Things are like they always are. Chaotic. Can't things just settle down and be boring? Boring would be lovely.<br />
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Here's a summary of how things are going...<br />
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Our home has an accepted offer. The inspection and appraisal and all other things are done (to the best of my knowledge.) We close in about a month and a half.<br />
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We've made an offer on a home in Utah. After much nail biting negotiating, that offer has been accepted. We are still biting our nails as we wait for our financing to go through. <br />
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We are planning another epic summer road trip. Since we have to move all of us from Iowa to Utah, we decided that we would combine summer vacation with the driving. <br />
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I'm spending my days getting quotes from movers, figuring out the best way to get our cats to Utah, and sending dozens of emails to mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and all the other ancillary services that go along with this.<br />
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Monkey has been struggling in school. We actually got a letter sent home. We are meeting with his teacher and trying to figure out the best way to proceed.<br />
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I've almost got my Utah state medical licensing done so it looks like I actually will have a job after we move.<br />
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I'm making lists of everything that we will need to do when we move. Pack. Change utilities. Change banks. Change address on a bazillion different things. <br />
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I spent the weekend "helping" Monkey construct a rocket for Scouts. Helping is what I've starting calling my constant nagging and scolding.<br />
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I had to come up with an academic project for my first year at my new job. I've come up with an idea and the project has been approved. <br />
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Hubster and I watched 4 seasons of Game of Thrones in one month. <br />
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I've had three dentist appointments in 5 weeks. Boo. Except one of those appointments is for bleaching, so I can have pretty pearly white teeth.<br />
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I turned another 30-something age a few weeks ago. <br />
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Duck accidentally got fed a gluten-filled muffin and had days of misery in which pretty much no one slept. <br />
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Spring arrived.<br />
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I continue to work. Hubster continues to go to school. We continue to do laundry, make meals, supervise homework, go for walks, survive bedtimes.<br />
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I think the stress that accompanies change is getting to me. I'm not super fun to be around and I cry at random things. Today, I cried at a picture on Facebook of Kathrine Switzer, the first female in the Boston Marathon. Last night, I dissolved into tears while singing "Return to Pooh Corner" to Duck at bedtime.<br />
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Things are actually falling into place. I know they won't be chaotic forever. I may even find time to write a real post. <br />
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But for now, it was nice to just catch up.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-58064025704632564982015-04-08T06:53:00.004-07:002015-04-08T07:38:13.883-07:00Master Bath UpdateNow that our home has a big "Sale Pending" sign in the front yard, sharing home improvement projects feels slightly out of place.<br>
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I knew it was bound to happen. While we did manage to complete many, many projects on our home, there were still quite a few we always meant to get to. The thing I desperately didn't want to happen was to postpone those projects until right before we sold our house, so that we could actually have some time to enjoy the results of our work.<br>
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Obviously, that exact thing I didn't want to happen happened. Although we had the plans and most the supplies for our master bath renovation for nearly a year, we didn't actually tackle the project until a month before we listed the house on the market.<br>
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We even hemmed and hawed about doing it at all. We could have saved ourselves a little money and quite a few weekends by just re-caulking the shower and calling it a day. But every time we would look at the brown shower tile and the grey vinyl flooring, we felt we just couldn't leave the bathroom looking like that.<br>
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Our master bath is quite small. I wanted to make it something special to somewhat compensate for the small size.<br>
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This project was much more manageable than the hall bath renovation. We only had to redo the floors and the tile in the shower. The sink was perfect, the shower doors and base presentable.<br>
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Just like the hall bath project, this started by ripping everything out. Unlike the hall bath project, I got so excited, I completely missed a before picture. I did manage to snag one small picture of the ugly linoleum, of which there ended up being two layers. <br>
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I also didn't take a picture of the nearly gutted bathroom. I was too focused on just getting things done.<br>
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Because the bathroom is on the small side, we used nicer finishes. I really wanted to use marble, but it was still cost prohibitive. So we got a porcelain tile with a marble-esque pattern. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMymykAhdIL13AONRqICHaxac2srSQ-uWTrqIHGX2ibyuRaUdyQf0Q1G17IOg3_1-E462kQeOOsiXn08AuUlBzcBLrZLV77sGLJvOud4ukzTUlMX1eeiJN0wwxNZyXGpZ9iDQsLBkTPeeY/s640/blogger-image--2048652886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMymykAhdIL13AONRqICHaxac2srSQ-uWTrqIHGX2ibyuRaUdyQf0Q1G17IOg3_1-E462kQeOOsiXn08AuUlBzcBLrZLV77sGLJvOud4ukzTUlMX1eeiJN0wwxNZyXGpZ9iDQsLBkTPeeY/s640/blogger-image--2048652886.jpg"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7_Vbwqjd_BPnoIuqnWNdzB14vIsvNwATN-4pJ22xdc1pqlCfrkG9Z6W_hoL_Azj1uvLP3aT_S79UT3h3BUOabsRmurOp_cg69WgTCWA2VUfhn3FUfHtWPH7DMA523y-hCaY9VS8NuDMa/s640/blogger-image--1767637288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7_Vbwqjd_BPnoIuqnWNdzB14vIsvNwATN-4pJ22xdc1pqlCfrkG9Z6W_hoL_Azj1uvLP3aT_S79UT3h3BUOabsRmurOp_cg69WgTCWA2VUfhn3FUfHtWPH7DMA523y-hCaY9VS8NuDMa/s640/blogger-image--1767637288.jpg"></a></div><br>
So much nicer than the dark, yucky linoleum.<br>
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In the shower, we used the same white subway tiles we used in the hall bath. Here, however, I splurged on some glass tile for an accent. The tile ended up coordinating perfectly with the existing turquoise wall color (almost as if I had planned it, which I didn't. I just gravitate towards the same things.)</div><div><br></div><div>After having done a bathroom just weeks prior, we were hitting our stride. Everything went very smoothly. With only one tiny hiccup.<br>
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We were so determined to completely finish on a Sunday evening. Until we realized we were one single tile short.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyak5GmhKiNWyUgK2C8oM6Xtw6x2l50KFdleft8LpcKQMdzhRLRU1J_CJwi7vs_tNxyxG34UielK0eH8HhjugSQU9eA9kXHd2U_FocKT3TDHm44zUMwnjRmeLrxJaZktQa5yPC9mPgXGeG/s640/blogger-image--473567207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyak5GmhKiNWyUgK2C8oM6Xtw6x2l50KFdleft8LpcKQMdzhRLRU1J_CJwi7vs_tNxyxG34UielK0eH8HhjugSQU9eA9kXHd2U_FocKT3TDHm44zUMwnjRmeLrxJaZktQa5yPC9mPgXGeG/s640/blogger-image--473567207.jpg"></a></div><br>
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That meant we had to drive across town to the hardware store and buy a single $0.70 tile. We couldn't think of a single other thing we needed at the hardware store to make the trip seem worth while. In hindsight, with that being our only hangup, it was nothing. At the time, after hours spent cutting tile and applying mortar and spacers, it felt terrible.<br>
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We opted for gray grout to accentuate the grey marbling in the floor tiles and to highlight the beautiful subway tiles. There were moments that I worried I had made a bad choice, because the grout seemed so dark. But after it dried and was a lovely light gray, I was extremely glad we chose that color.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9WXknd2S9euRkDCTXh2xKPUA4lPifTEZ6yy9BK_ucTeCETreaEHEmnDGaYgA2Xt6ylwY-Rd_-SSkotkbdtdd5lc_qQPHen0Zx0HlW1KORS_Vm1hX8mRCSF1OYqdaVT6o4IF2N5c66RS6/s640/blogger-image-398333693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9WXknd2S9euRkDCTXh2xKPUA4lPifTEZ6yy9BK_ucTeCETreaEHEmnDGaYgA2Xt6ylwY-Rd_-SSkotkbdtdd5lc_qQPHen0Zx0HlW1KORS_Vm1hX8mRCSF1OYqdaVT6o4IF2N5c66RS6/s640/blogger-image-398333693.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Watching every come together made me so glad that we decided to refinish the bathroom. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F-8s7jRI7NoomraJD9uEULvlBd-tEiaIhnM-RLCKGB9tyLb5D576qrf1BZKZJaKHHZVSq-pl_pBwI4lFYouW7I6ApbnUgex_9g8igpORf9bmYg9xMPdgiUx_O4sP9tlvQ4bzIBufpf4H/s640/blogger-image--484838225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F-8s7jRI7NoomraJD9uEULvlBd-tEiaIhnM-RLCKGB9tyLb5D576qrf1BZKZJaKHHZVSq-pl_pBwI4lFYouW7I6ApbnUgex_9g8igpORf9bmYg9xMPdgiUx_O4sP9tlvQ4bzIBufpf4H/s640/blogger-image--484838225.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Yes, we will only enjoy it for a few months. But those are a few months of getting ready in the morning and taking showers in a very pretty bathroom.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVA4BgsRhquQAbmeoc5RLejK-1m01WwiE0B-JCKrCrRrDXIkDZVjG1WseRmKwWtA7kbWdIMTb3vLaeg2PQl5CUdmxB4ld6450d69TTYPiwBU5snpiu5HKV5ENEebbWQA9KlIseUYdINFf/s640/blogger-image--1426732247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVA4BgsRhquQAbmeoc5RLejK-1m01WwiE0B-JCKrCrRrDXIkDZVjG1WseRmKwWtA7kbWdIMTb3vLaeg2PQl5CUdmxB4ld6450d69TTYPiwBU5snpiu5HKV5ENEebbWQA9KlIseUYdINFf/s640/blogger-image--1426732247.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-71501164921099803302015-03-31T06:45:00.000-07:002015-03-31T06:55:36.665-07:00Dear BuyersWhen our home went on the market, it was our first time going through the whole process of selling a home. From picking a real estate agent, to getting the house staged, to keeping it ridiculously clean, every step was new and stressful. <br>
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In fact, even Bug, who is adamantly against the move, said he hoped our house would sell fast. He said he didn't like having to keep things that clean, and besides, he hated all the art the house was staged with. <br>
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We had been mentally prepped before hand about the stress. That we would no longer be living in our house the way we normally lived in it, but we would be selling it. <br>
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What we didn't expect was for things to happen so fast. We listed on a Monday at 4 pm. That same evening, we had two showings. By 10 am on Tuesday, we had scheduled 6 more. At noon, an offer came in for above asking, and by 1 pm, we had accepted the offer. Our house was on the market for 21 hours. <br>
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Our agent had suggested that we right a letter to any potential buyers, about what we loved about the house and why we were moving, so that no one would think we were moving because there was something wrong with the house. <br>
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I wrote a letter about all the improvements that had been done to the house, about the great schools and neighborhood, about the large yard and how much we enjoyed the fireplace. But I felt that I had to hold back a little about how much I really loved our home, because when I started writing about how I actually felt about the house, it started sounding like I was trying to sell it too hard.<br>
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So, here is the letter I would like to write, how I really feel about the home we are going to be leaving.<br>
<br>
_________________________________________________<br>
<br>
Dear Home Buyers,<br>
<br>
At first glance, this house may seem like any other small neighborhood house from the 70s. And while it definitely has its quirks due to strange building codes back then, I assure you, this home is anything but typical.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgMmmxhFdZxerelaDmOE7-IpCWoj7LTlRDIQ-PQ2q8vmy3L9wGVYggZG6svJ-2g2hsu6rXa6maX3us3RDjmSuA11OqWq5V9kICBkCfKEIO9zQgtAtywyd1FmQguEByTdwvryEwaWIN2qi/s640/blogger-image--1668127103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgMmmxhFdZxerelaDmOE7-IpCWoj7LTlRDIQ-PQ2q8vmy3L9wGVYggZG6svJ-2g2hsu6rXa6maX3us3RDjmSuA11OqWq5V9kICBkCfKEIO9zQgtAtywyd1FmQguEByTdwvryEwaWIN2qi/s640/blogger-image--1668127103.jpg"></a></div><br>
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You will be hard pressed to find a home that has been as loved and as lived in as this one. And as far as all those quirks, we've made sure everything about the house is perfectly safe. But there a few stairs that squeak every time we try to sneak downstairs when the children are sleeping. And getting to the laundry by going through the garage is definitely not ideal, but after years of going to a laundry mat with children in tow, I couldn't have cared less.<br>
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This house was our first home as a family, the first time we didn't have to worry about sharing walls, floors, and ceilings with other people, the first time our children could just be children. We lived fully in each room, from family game night at the kitchen table, to story time in front of the fireplace, to pillow fights in the bedrooms. <br>
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When we first bought the house, most people gave us disbelieving, almost pitying smile. All they could see was the popcorn ceilings, the lack of lighting, and all the gray vinyl flooring. We, however, were beside ourselves with excitement about that potential in this home. We had seen over 30 homes during a whirlwind weekend of home shopping. But the moment we walked through the door here, we knew it was home. I never once saw the imperfection. I only saw a house that wanted to be loved, that wanted to become our home. <br>
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We have loved this house almost like a family member, slowly bringing it to its potential. We stripped away the popcorn ceilings. We put in all new flooring, flooring that would hold up to the antics of three active boys. We added as much light as we could. We painted every surface. I'll be honest. When we were picking things for the home, I never once thought about which would be best for resale, what would be most appealing for other people. I picked things I loved, that went with the feeling we were creating in our home. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o573jTQPjwO7qw2ylYod5oH9BW4jIC5Qn5alHWxzSWlTY829JNM6-CctwwPFCdgALaz_bgFOGbYAGY3z7Q_gDNsdmgicG-0S88pt1cwCXYjCEfZtv6aaMFZ6gh6VdObrK7pmDrs0Ahiq/s640/blogger-image-1079680897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o573jTQPjwO7qw2ylYod5oH9BW4jIC5Qn5alHWxzSWlTY829JNM6-CctwwPFCdgALaz_bgFOGbYAGY3z7Q_gDNsdmgicG-0S88pt1cwCXYjCEfZtv6aaMFZ6gh6VdObrK7pmDrs0Ahiq/s640/blogger-image-1079680897.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>There are more memories here than I could possibly share. We've planted bulbs in the front garden. We've made enormous leaf piles in the back yard. We've eaten countless dinners on the deck and then watched our children chases fireflies under the trees and wondered how we ever got so lucky. <br>
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At a meager 1300 square feet, this house has never felt small (except when suddenly, we've had to figure out where 6 house guests are sleeping.) Even as our family grew, there always seemed to be enough room for us. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKQZ4B5_0pk_6Ahivf-91nzx40NtNTMSSPJd4Nbybq3Yt2z8R-8ZXE0fe3KyH12yG84T7628-7ePQSIYSTFhW73nyr4t3UazSrZKlmiqSzlBvxFUgqO27wwYatJYhK-JFqZmvD32AhXdT/s640/blogger-image--1928999708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKQZ4B5_0pk_6Ahivf-91nzx40NtNTMSSPJd4Nbybq3Yt2z8R-8ZXE0fe3KyH12yG84T7628-7ePQSIYSTFhW73nyr4t3UazSrZKlmiqSzlBvxFUgqO27wwYatJYhK-JFqZmvD32AhXdT/s640/blogger-image--1928999708.jpg"></a></div><br>
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This home isn't the fanciest, most spacious home out there. But nearly everyone who has ever walked through the front door has mentioned how lovely the home is. I like to think that it isn't because of the decor or the paint color (although of course, I'm quite partial to those.) I like to think it's because there is so much love and life here, everyone can feel it.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIbNdveEpUNKFFTW1kVv3r2V5p9j6VggRhs7zZEve-9CrMIPMGaFL0rXGoTrZ0tS-IHesKTefPZB5gmxttw_HbRKNZQCYDP5OIztRvL01RGm-R576QWQFmMMztbOWj6PfIqWpAS3X7Yw/s640/blogger-image-307505931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIbNdveEpUNKFFTW1kVv3r2V5p9j6VggRhs7zZEve-9CrMIPMGaFL0rXGoTrZ0tS-IHesKTefPZB5gmxttw_HbRKNZQCYDP5OIztRvL01RGm-R576QWQFmMMztbOWj6PfIqWpAS3X7Yw/s640/blogger-image-307505931.jpg"></a></div><br>
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It's time for us to move on with our lives, and that moving on is taking us back west, closer to family and away from this home. I'm quite heartbroken about leaving this house. There were days that I actually pictured us living here forever. Maybe this is how everyone feels about their first home. <br>
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I definitely hope it's how you feel about this one.<br>
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Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Katherine<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131288126385666341.post-40036647057230971952015-03-23T08:16:00.000-07:002015-03-23T08:16:01.067-07:00The Only Constant is ChangeHere it is, nearly the end of March, and I haven't sat down all month to write. After our whirl wind month, it feels difficult to summarize in a way that is succinct enough to be manageable and in depth enough to be meaningful.<br />
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We are in the middle of a transition period. Transitions are always difficult, full of unknowns, stress, half-executed plans, and a feeling of being unsettled. <br />
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We are moving. <br />
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Hubster and I have both accepted jobs in Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm originally from there, as much as I can be originally from anywhere. Hubster has taken his dream job in a private practice dental practice. I've accepted an academic position at the University of Utah, which is turning out to be the dream job that I didn't even know I always wanted. We are both extremely happy with our new jobs.<br />
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That still doesn't make things easy. <br />
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Hubster found out about his job in November, but just got the contract settled two weeks ago. I interviewed for my job mid January, and am still trying to get things completely finalized.<br />
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Since we were fairly sure things were going to work out job-wise, we knew that we would have to sell our home. I actually met with our real estate agent weeks before I had even interviewed for my job. <br />
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Before putting our house on the market, we had a long list of home projects to do, including redoing both bathrooms. I've already shared <a href="http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com/2015/01/bathroom-redo.html">the hall bathroom redo</a>. The master bath is also completely finished, and a post sharing that is in the works. Doing all the projects ate up all our weekends in January and February. <br />
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We also had to replace the siding on our house, because the woodpeckers and weather have had a heyday with the original wood siding. Working with the subcontractor for the siding ended up being immensely frustrating; the whole process was prolonged and drug out and painful. In the end, the siding looks wonderful, although maybe not so wonderful as to be worth all the stress (which included the inability to use our garage or driveway for a month and a half during the worst of the winter weather).<br />
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Finally, all the work on the house was done, and we listed the house two weeks ago. We got an offer right away (that is its very own story.) <br />
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Last week, we flew out with all our kids to do some house hunting in Salt Lake City. Financing is still hazy, because of our massive student loans, but we think we have found a house we want to make an offer on. <br />
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Top this off with trying to get a new medical license for the state of Utah, Hubster taking his dental board exams, being in charge of decorations for the school carnival, keeping our house spotless for pictures, inspections, and showings, Duck deciding to unleash the terrible twos in full force, and Monkey and Bug extremely moody and difficult because they don't want to move, things have been crazy. <br />
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I'd like to say that I'm sailing through this with grace and poise and optimism, but that wouldn't be true. It's more like I'm blundering my way through with a short temper, frequent tears, and occasional active avoidance. <br />
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At least winter is over and spring is coming. <br />
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I'm hoping that just like the seasonal change, these changes in our lives will all be for the best. We just have to survive the transition.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111672135619695024noreply@blogger.com4